Akwa Ibom Police Arrest Suspected Serial ATM Fraudster

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a suspected serial ATM fraudster, Chibuzor Amaechi, in Uyo, the state capital, following an operation on Saturday, July 26, 2025.

The arrest was disclosed in a statement released on Monday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, who revealed that the suspect, a native of Ubima Village in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, specialised in swapping unsuspecting bank customers’ ATM cards and withdrawing funds fraudulently.

According to the statement, the suspect was apprehended along Abak Road in Uyo after operatives received a distress call from two banks, whose CCTV footage had captured Amaechi engaging in suspicious activities.

“At approximately 4:00 PM on Saturday, July 26, operatives received a distress call from two banks (name withheld) in Uyo, reporting that a suspect, later identified as Chibuzor Amaechi, had been captured by the banks’ CCTV cameras. This led to his swift identification and arrest at the bank premises in Abak Road, Uyo,” the statement read.

The spokesperson said, upon searching the suspect, police recovered seven ATM cards from various banks, suspected of having been stolen.

In a video confession, Amaechi reportedly admitted to operating alone and carrying out similar fraudulent activities across both Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

The police also noted that one of his victims, from Ikot Inyang village, has identified the suspect and is assisting with the investigation.

DSP John said preliminary investigations are ongoing and assured that the suspect will be charged in court upon conclusion of the inquiry.

The police have urged the public to remain vigilant while using ATM facilities and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest security agency.

Akwa Ibom Police Arrest Suspected Serial ATM Fraudster is first published on The Whistler Newspaper