POS Scammer reveals How He Operates

A video shows a man sitting on the ground, covered in dirt, holding a teal POS terminal and explaining an alleged method used to defraud POS operators.

The original poster, @SemiNigerian, shared the video with a warning, writing: “What is wrong with Nigerians? Why must we find a way to bring down every single thing that has tried to sustain us as a people? Please kindly forward to protect your families and loved ones!!”

According to the video, the man was caught after allegedly using the method to steal cash from POS operators and was made to demonstrate how the scam works.

He first approaches a POS operator and requests a cash withdrawal for a random amount. The operator enters the amount and hands him the terminal to input his PIN.

Instead of completing the transaction, he deliberately cancels or declines it. He then quickly opens the POS transaction history and takes note of the most recent successful transaction recorded before he arrived.

He returns to the home screen and asks the operator to start the withdrawal again. When the operator re-enters the amount and hands him the terminal, he allegedly pulls his debit card slightly so that the machine does not actually read it before entering a PIN.

The scammer then returns to the transaction history and shows the operator the earlier successful transaction. If the operator fails to check the exact amount, time and other transaction details, they may mistake the old transaction for the new one and hand over the requested cash.

No money is deducted from the customer's bank account because the new transaction was never completed. The scammer then leaves with the POS operator's cash.

The alleged trick depends on the scammer quickly navigating the terminal and the operator failing to carefully verify the transaction before releasing the money.

POS operators are therefore advised to always independently confirm the transaction amount, time, status and receipt details before handing over cash. They should never rely solely on what a customer shows on the screen.

If a transaction is cancelled, delayed or appears unusual, the safest option is to stop and verify it before releasing any money.

Stay alert and always confirm that a transaction has actually been completed before handing over cash.