EFCC Investigate Suspected Fraudster For Concealing 2,886 ATM Cards In Noodles Pack (See Photo)

The Lagos zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has commenced investigations of a suspected fraudster for concealing 2,886 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards and four Subscriber Identification Module( SIM) cards in noodles.

The suspect, Ishaq Abubakar was handed over to the EFCC by the Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday, September 10, 2020 for investigation and prosecution.

Abubakar got into trouble when he was arrested by officers of the Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on his way to Dubai with 2, with the contraband carefully concealed in parks of noodles.

While handing over the suspect to the EFCC in Lagos on Thursday, Deputy Comptroller Enforcement, who represented the Customs Area Comptroller, A. Ma’aji, Abudulmumuni Bako, said: “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”, he said.”

In his response, the Lagos zonal head, AbdulRasheed Bawa, who received the suspect on behalf of the Commission, assured the Service that the Commission would duly investigate the suspect and any other party that might be involved in the alleged criminal offence.

Bawa said, “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 emphasized 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.”

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

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