Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said yesterday it would begin a clamp-down on the fraudulent use of Point of Sale (PoS) machines in the country.
This was disclosed by the commission in an interactive session with regional bank managers at the EFCC’s zonal office in Makurdi, Benue State.
Speaking at the meeting, the Acting EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, charged banks to ensure proper monitoring and strict compliance by those to whom they issue PoS machines.
“We are having serious challenges with the banks giving PoS machines to individuals with questionable characters and without proper documentation,” he said.
He pointed out that there was a need for some of the PoS machines to be withdrawn from such individuals.
He also warned banks to adhere strictly to the Post-No-Debit (temporary freezing of account) order placed on banks found to be involved in suspicious transactions. “Default will not be tolerated,” he said.
He noted that it was unfortunate that some staff of banks were in the habit of giving prior notice to customers whose accounts were being placed on Post-No-Debit, thus “aiding and abetting crime and obstruction of justice, instead of assisting the commission as stipulated by law”.
He further urged the banks to “respond on time to the letters of investigations sent to them by the commission”, stressing that prompt response will help in speedy dispensation of cases.
“You need to always report any suspicious transactions as required by law,” he said, according to a statement by the commission.
