TheCable

The Katsina police command says its operatives have arrested four suspected criminals who specialise in swapping Point of Sale (POS) machines and withdrawing money from their victims’ accounts.

Abubakar Aliyu, the Katsina police spokesperson, spoke on Thursday during a parade of some suspects in the state.

Aliyu said seven POS machines were recovered from the suspects, adding that they had swindled five victims who were mostly business owners, of over N4.7 million.

“In the course of investigation, it was revealed that the syndicate would criminally swap the POS machines of unsuspecting victims with fake ones that looked identical, and then criminally withdraw money from the victims’ accounts,” Aliyu said.

“The suspects had swindled five victims who were mostly business owners of over N4.7 million. The suspects confessed to the commission of the crime and investigation is ongoing.

“At the end of the investigation, the suspects will be charged to court.”

He added that with the assistance of some kind-hearted citizens, operatives were able to apprehend other suspects who attempted to rob a commercial tricycle driver.

Aliyu said other members of the criminal syndicate managed to escape.

“The syndicate’s modus operandi is to drug their victims by offering them drinks laced with sedatives before robbing them of their tricycles,” Aliyu added.

“In the course of investigation, two other victims identified the suspect, corroborating his involvement in the crime of robbing them of their tricycles valued at N1.6 million, and N2.250 million respectively.”

He added that the command also succeeded in arresting another suspect in connection with the rape of a 16-year-old girl.