How I steal ATM users’ PINs, defraud them – Suspect

A suspected fraudster from Calabar, Cross River State, has revealed how he allegedly stole clients’ PINs by posing as a helpful individual at automated teller machines (ATMs). The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, targeted individuals who required assistance at ATM points. He allegedly withheld their cards and observed them entering their PINs before leaving the area.

The Cross River State Police Command announced the arrest of the suspect on October 6, 2026, for alleged fraud involving unsuspecting ATM users. In a video posted to the command’s Facebook page, the Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, explained the suspect’s modus operandi. He stated that the suspect approached customers who seemed in need of help, exploiting their trust to gain access to their PINs.

The suspect claimed he put the ATM in cardless transaction mode, withholding the customers’ cards while they believed their cards were still inside. He watched as customers selected their desired transactions and entered their PINs. Once the customers clicked on the transaction or entered their password, the suspect would leave the premises, having obtained the necessary information to carry out fraudulent transactions elsewhere.

The suspect allegedly memorized customers’ PINs as they entered them and used the information to make unauthorized transactions. The customers would later discover their cards were missing and their accounts had been debited. Police authorities urged the public to remain vigilant when using ATMs and avoid providing their cards or PINs to strangers offering assistance.