EFCC Investigates Suspect Arrested With 2,886 ATM Cards Concealed In Noodles

The Lagos Zonel Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it had commenced investigations into the case of a suspected fraudster, Ishaq Abubakar, who was arrested with 2,886 Automated Teller Machine(ATM) cards and four Subscriber Identification Module( SIM) cards.

Abubakar, who was arrested by officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) had concealed the cards in packs of noodles.

He was handed over to the anti-graft agency on Thursday by the Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Abudulmumuni Bako, who represented the Customs Area Comptroller, A. Ma’aji, for investigation and prosecution.

Spokesman of EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said the suspect was arrested by customs officers at the Murtala Muhammed  International Airport, Lagos, while  on his way to Dubai with the cards.

Oyewale quoted Bako as saying: “Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Departure Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport,  on August 22, 2020, intercepted the suspect with 2, 886 ATM cards and four SIM cards, which he carefully concealed in packs of noodles.”

Bako also added that “The suspect, who claimed to have come from Kano to travel to Dubai aboard the Emirate Evacuation flight, was seen with someone who was assigned to facilitate his movement through the airport checks.

“This raised the suspicion of the officers who insisted he should be physically and thoroughly checked after the scan machine had revealed he was carrying parks of noodles.”

Responding, the Lagos zonal head of EFCC, AbdulRasheed Bawa, who received the suspect on behalf of the commission, assured the service that the agency would duly investigate him and any other party that might be involved in the alleged criminal offence.

According to Bawa: “On behalf of the commission and the acting Chairman, Muhammed Umar, we have taken over Abubakar,  and I can assure you that we are going to investigate the matter thoroughly and unveil everybody involved in the syndicate.

“There are a number of possibilities. There is an element of conspiracy, foreign exchange (FOREX) malpractices and money laundering.

“Indeed, banks and bankers are definitely involved.”

Bawa also emphasised the possibility of the suspect being a member of a network, adding that “In recent months, we have observed a trend in which unsuspecting Nigerians are lured into opening accounts to be bought at a fee.”

He added: “Most bankers are not carrying out their duties with due diligence, particularly the Know Your Customers (KYC) procedural check.”