Fraudster arrested for attempting to withdraw N8.5m in Lagos

A fraudster who attempted to withdraw about N8.5 million from the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) was arrested at the General Aviation Terminal of Murtala Muhammed Airport(MMA)also known as Terminal 1.

It was gathered that the fraudster, whose name could not be be ascertained as at the time of compiling this report was caught when he tried to escape after his bid to withdraw the money on the counter using a cheque failed.

According to a source close to the terminal, trouble started when the suspected fraudster walked into the FCMB branch at the airport pretending to be a genuine customer, alleging that his Automated Teller Machine (ATM) was not working due to faulty network and that he has to collect the said amount across the counter with the aid of a cheque.

However, in line with the practice in the bank, the Customer Service Manager (CSM) contacted the alleged fraudster’s branch intimating it of the withdrawal of such large sum and was told not to allow the fraudster out of the bank.

According to the source, the alleged fraudster’s bank told the CSM that there was already an incident of fraud on the account and as a result should not be allowed to withdraw from the account.

Based on this information, the source stated that the CSM politely asked the man in question to come upstairs to collect the money, but that the fraudster sensing that there may be a ploy to arrest him, he came out of the banking hall and took to the heels.

However, luck ran out on him, as car hire drivers at the terminal and mobile policemen gave him a hot chase and with some minutes, he was arrested.

On where the suspected fraudster was taken to after he was arrested by the mobile policemen, the source said he was taken to the domestic police station, a stone throw from the terminal.

Investigation revealed that the Police at Public Complaint Bureau at Lagos State Police command had placed the account on watch list because fraudulent money was allegedly paid into the account.

Investigation further revealed that the watchlist by the police on the account was to ensure that wherever and whenever the suspect want to withdraw money from the account, the Police should be alerted to affect his arrest.