The Economic Financial Crimes Commission Chairman, Ola Olukoyede has revealed how his ATM card was Photocopied during a check-in into a Hotel Abroad. He stated that while paying for his accommodation, he observed a stark difference in how his Nigerian card was treated compared to that of a white man before him.
He narrated how the hotel staff made a photocopy of his card, citing a standing instruction to suspect Nigerian cards due to frequent fraud cases. He lamented that despite identifying himself as the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency in Nigeria, the staff maintained her stance.
He said in an interview with TVC, "It is important for us to understand the kind of menace that cybercrime is causing Nigeria. I traveled about two weeks ago and was in a country in South Asia. I attended a Financial Action Task Force meeting and wanted to pay for my accommodation.
The man in front of me, a white man, used his card and made the payment. When it was my turn, I gave them my card. They swiped it, deducted the money, and then the lady stood up and went to another office to make a photocopy of my card, both front and back. I asked her, 'Why are you making a photocopy of my card? You are exposing me to fraud!'
I told her, 'You didn't do this to the other man who just left.' She replied, 'Yes, sir, it is because this is a Nigerian card.' She said they have a standing instruction that anytime they see a Nigerian card, they must suspect it. So, they have to make a photocopy to be sure that I am actually the owner of the card. And she knew who I was, the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency in Nigeria. You can see the shame and embarrassment."