Arrested POS Operator Explains How She Got Involved in Receiving Ransom Money
ASABA/Nigeria: A Point of Sale (POS) operator in Delta State has recounted her ordeal after unknowingly facilitating a ₦4 million ransom payment linked to kidnappers.
The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, was paraded by the Delta State Police Command on Thursday after her involvement in the transaction came to light.
Speaking during the parade, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, revealed that the operator received the sum on behalf of the kidnappers, unaware that it was a ransom payment.
According to the suspect, the individual who requested her account details for the transfer had been a regular customer, and she had no idea he was involved in criminal activities.
“He was just a customer,” the operator explained. “I didn’t know he was into kidnapping. He gave me several accounts to transfer the money to, and I had no clue that it was ransom money.”
The situation came to light when police traced the ransom payment to her account, leading to her arrest. The POS operator was later found to have earned only ₦40,000 as her commission for the transaction.
SP Edafe used the opportunity to issue a stern warning to POS operators across the state, urging them to exercise caution when processing large transactions, especially sums exceeding ₦500,000. He highlighted the risks of being unknowingly entangled in criminal activities like ransom payments.
“POS operators need to be extremely careful,” Edafe cautioned. “Any transaction above ₦500,000 can get you into serious trouble. You could become an accomplice in kidnapping without even knowing it, and it could cost you your freedom.”
He cited the recent case as a stark example, noting that while the operator earned a small commission, she now faces legal consequences for her involvement.
“She facilitated the transfer of ₦4 million to kidnappers and only made ₦40,000 in profit. Was it worth it? Think about that before engaging in such transactions,” Edafe warned. “Before your lawyer gets you out, you might have already spent time in prison.”
The police spokesperson urged POS operators to exercise diligence and ensure that they are not unknowingly aiding criminal activities, reminding them of the legal repercussions of handling suspicious transactions.
It could be recalled that Ndokwa Reporters had earlier reported the arrest of the POS operated by the Delta Police Command.
