The Katsina State Police Command has apprehended a four-man gang notorious for swapping Point-of-Sale (POS) machines to defraud unsuspecting victims.
During a press briefing at the Command headquarters on Thursday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Aliyu Sadiq, presented the suspects, who were arrested on May 12, 2024, following a public tip-off.
The suspects, identified as Abdulhakeem Haruna (20), Habibu Kabir (28), Aminu Abubakar (27), and Abubakar Bishir (25), all residents of Katsina, are accused of defrauding five business owners of N4.763 million.
According to ASP Sadiq, the gang’s modus operandi involved swapping the victims’ POS machines with identical-looking fake ones, which they then used to illegally withdraw money from the victims’ accounts. The police recovered four POS machines believed to be part of the gang’s loot. The suspects have reportedly confessed to the crime, and an investigation is ongoing.
Commending the officers involved in the operation, Katsina State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police for swift action.
He assured residents of the command’s dedication to apprehending criminals and safeguarding the community.