The Katsina State Police Command has apprehended a four-man gang involved in a scheme to swap Point-of-Sale (POS) machines, defrauding unsuspecting victims.
During a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters on Thursday, Public Relations Officer ASP Abubakar Aliyu Sadiq announced the arrests, which took place on May 12, 2024, following a public tip-off. The suspects have been identified as Abdulhakeem Haruna (20), Habibu Kabir (28), Aminu Abubakar (27), and Abubakar Bishir (25), all residents of Katsina.
The gang is accused of swindling five business owners out of a total of N4.763 million. According to the PPRO, they executed their operations by swapping genuine POS machines with identical-looking fakes, which allowed them to illegally withdraw money from their victims’ accounts.
Police recovered four POS machines believed to be part of the stolen loot, and the suspects have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crimes. Ongoing investigations are expected to reveal further details.
Katsina State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, praised the officers involved in the operation and urged the public to remain vigilant. He encouraged residents to report any suspicious activities to the police for immediate action, reaffirming the command’s commitment to apprehending criminals and safeguarding the community.