Lady steals ATM card belonging to visually-impaired woman, clears out her account

A 58-year-old visually impaired woman in Nnewi, Anambra State, has fallen victim to an ATM card scam, losing a significant sum of ₦2 million. The incident, captured on CCTV footage, has sparked outrage and prompted a police investigation.

The victim, a widow, recounted her ordeal, explaining that while attempting to withdraw cash at an ATM, she encountered difficulties due to her visual impairment. A seemingly helpful woman in a red top and black trousers offered assistance. However, during the interaction, the woman surreptitiously swapped the victim's ATM card with a fake one, having already obtained her PIN. ]

Unaware of the switch, the victim continued to struggle with the card, only to receive a series of debit alerts shortly after. By the time she realised the fraud, ₦2 million had been withdrawn from her account. A bank official, speaking anonymously, cautioned the public against disclosing their ATM PINs to strangers, emphasising the importance of vigilance and caution when using ATMs, particularly for vulnerable individuals.

The incident has highlighted the need for increased awareness and security measures to prevent such scams.Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the incident and launched an investigation. The Commissioner of Police has directed all available resources to identify and apprehend the suspect. 

The public is urged to assist in the investigation by providing any information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrator. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding personal financial information and exercising caution when interacting with strangers, even those who appear to be offering assistance.