Each time the POS operator gives him the machine to input his PIN, he deletes a zero.
Once he does that, the operator loses N46,000 – because instead of deducting N51,000, he or she will only deduct N5,100, whereas she will pay the suspected criminal N51,000.
That is the story of a 27- year-old- man, Ayobami Olaoluwa, who has been arraigned at an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting at Ibadan for allegedly defrauding POS operators of N255,000.
Olaoluwa of No. 12, Itamerin tioya, Ibadan, is standing trial on a three-count charge of fraud, conspiracy and stealing.
The Prosecutor, Insp. Opeyemi Olagunju, told the court that Olaoluwa and one other person at large, allegedly conspired together to defraud unsuspecting POS Operators in Ibadan.
Olagunju said that the accused on July 2021, approached a POS operator, Amina Oladele, at Muslim, Ibadan, for withdrawal of N51,000.
He said Olaoluwa allegedly changed the amount to N5,100 when he was asked to input his pin number with intent to defraud her.
“The defendant allegedly collected the sum of N51,000 for three consecutive times from her, when asked to insert his pin number after typing N51,000, withdrawal, the defendant allegedly deleted one zero making it N5,100, while he will be paid N51,000 totaling N153, 000.
“On Feb. 2, at Adesola Street, Olorunsogo, Ibadan, the defendant allegedly presented his Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card to another POS operator, Fasasi Zainab, to input N51,000 for withdrawal.
“The defendant was alleged to have fraudulently changed the amount to N5,100 when he is asked to input his pin number and collected the sum of N51,000.
“On Jan. 21, at Aleshinloye market the defendant allegedly presented an ATM card with No 539983—-6663 at POS machine and instructed the operator, Mrs Faith (no surname included) to type N51,000 and also defrauded her of N51,000,” Olagunju said.
He said the offence contravened Section 390 (9), 419A (b) and 516 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr Olaide Hamzat, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Hamzat said one of the sureties must be a landed property owner, and adjourned the case until till March 17, for hearing.