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Anwar Hossain Salim, who stands accused of perpetrating fraud – having illicitly obtained crores of money from numerous individuals under the false pretense of sending them abroad, is currently residing in Dubai maintaining a lavish lifestyle
In response to the grievances lodged by the victims, the court has issued an arrest warrant against Anwar Hossain Salim who hails from Noakhali.
Simultaneously, the Immigration Department has been mandated to apprehend the fraudster upon his return to the country, as he is currently residing outside its borders.
The authenticity of this information has been substantiated through the complaints filed by both the Immigration Department of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) and the affected parties.
Specifically, three individuals—Ashraf Zaman Apu, Kawsar, and Jasim—from Maijdi area of Noakhali are among the victims. They have reported financial losses totaling Tk 32 lakh, having been deceived under the guise of obtaining Italian visas.
The court complaint reveals that the three aforementioned individuals—Ashraf Zaman Apu, Kawsar, and Jasim—fell victim to fraudulent activities orchestrated by Anwar Hossain Salim.
Notably, the youth implicated in this case shares familial or residential ties with Noakhali, further establishing a connection between the victims and the alleged fraudster.
Anwar Hossain Salim, in an attempt to deceive the victims, claimed ownership of a company named Al Jabir Traders, located in Old Paltan in the capital.
The victims, lodged a complaint asserting that Anwar Hossain Salim had fraudulently promised them opportunities to travel to Italy. According to the complaint, Apu, Kawsar, and Jasim handed over sums of money amounting to Tk 14 lakh, Tk 10 lakh, and Tk 8 lakh, respectively, to Salim under the pretext of covering expenses related to the purported trip.
Regrettably, despite receiving these substantial amounts, Anwar Hossain Salim failed to initiate any visa application or other necessary processes for their journey to Italy. Upon returning to Dhaka and attempting to contact him, the victims discovered that the address provided by Salim was no longer valid.
The aggrieved discovered that he had similarly deceived numerous others, compelling them to part with their hard-earned money under the false promise of facilitating trips to Italy. Subsequently, it was learned that Salim had relocated to Dubai after taking money from multiple victims.
The victims stated, "We sold our land and entrusted him with the money, harboring dreams of a better future in Italy. Unfortunately, all our aspirations have been shattered, and we are now grappling with near destitution. Uncertain about our future, we are resolute in seeking justice and the deserved punishment for this deceitful individual."
In response to these distressing circumstances, the court has issued an arrest warrant against Anwar Hossain Salim. Additionally, the Immigration Department has been directed to apprehend him given his current residence in Dubai.
The scope of Anwar Hossain Salim's fraudulent activities has been unveiled, revealing that he has embezzled a substantial amount of money from at least 50 other individuals in a manner similar to the victims previously mentioned. One such case involves Arif from Cumilla, who paid Tk 5 lakh with the expectation of traveling to Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, Arif, like many others, has fallen prey to Salim's deceptive schemes.
Arif expressed his disappointment, stating, "I entrusted a significant amount of money to Salim after considerable expenses, only to be deceived. Presently, he is enjoying a comfortable life in Dubai with the ill-gotten gains from his fraudulent activities."
Arif informed that he has filed a complaint at the Paltan police station regarding the fraudulent activities orchestrated by Anwar Hossain Salim.
Kamrul Islam, Monir Hossain, and Sultan Ahmad from Sirajganj, along with several others, have been victims of Anwar Hossain Salim's fraudulent activities. These individuals collectively paid a substantial amount, totaling 30 lakh, with the expectation of traveling to Italy. Additionally, they observed two individuals from Madaripur contributing another 20 lakh to Salim under similar pretenses. Astonishingly, Salim employed a deceitful scheme, exploiting the hopes of more than 50 people who had paid amounts ranging from 5 to 10 lakhs for trips to Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai.
Unfortunately, Salim failed to fulfill any promises and, instead, absconded with the funds, leaving the victims in a state of helplessness. In response to this injustice, Kamrul Islam, Monir Hossain, Sultan Ahmad, and others have sought legal recourse by filing a complaint at the Paltan police station.
In addition to the complaints lodged at Paltan police station, Yusuf Hossain from Shariatpur filed a complaint at the Banani police station, and Aslam from Lakshipur registered a complaint at the Gulshan police station.
Both victims recounted similar narratives of entrusting substantial amounts to Salim with the expectation of traveling to Germany. Yusuf Hossain mentioned paying Tk 15 lakh, while Aslam paid Tk 30 lakh in two installments. Despite these payments, Salim ceased all communication and failed to fulfill the promised arrangements, leaving the victims in a state of distress.
The authenticity of the complaints filed at Banani and Gulshan police stations has been confirmed by the respective Officers-in-Charge (OCs). Banani police station OC Mostafizur Rahman verified the validity of the complaint and revealed that the fraudster, Anwar Hossain Salim, is currently residing outside the country. He said that he has illicitly taken money from numerous individuals before leaving the country discreetly.
Similarly, Gulshan police station OC Farman Ali characterised Salim as a significant fraudster who managed to embezzle several crores of taka in just a few days. This information underscores the severity of the situation and the urgency of taking appropriate legal measures to address the fraudulent activities committed by Anwar Hossain Salim and to potentially bring him to justice, even if he is currently residing outside the country.
Shaon Islam, one of the victims who filed a complaint at the Gulshan police station, said, his relatives entrusted an amount of 18 lakhs to Salim with the expectation that the funds would facilitate the travel of two individuals to Italy. However, after the transaction, Salim disappeared without a trace.
The victim further revealed that Salim had an office located opposite DCC Market at Gulshan 1. However, within a few days, the office vanished, leaving no leads for the victims. Shaon expressed the challenging situation he finds himself in due to the loss of funds and the apparent fraudulent activities of Salim. Faced with this predicament, Shaon decided to file a complaint at the police station in the hope that legal action can be taken against Salim, despite his current absence from the country.
The Deputy Commissioner of Motijheel Division, Hayatul Islam, has provided additional insights into the fraudulent activities perpetrated by Anwar Hossain Salim. According to the Deputy Commissioner, several young individuals in the Paltan and Gulshan areas fell victim to Salim's fraud, resulting in the unlawful acquisition of several crores of taka. Subsequently, Salim managed to flee the country.
In response to these fraudulent actions, the victims have taken legal action by filing cases at the police station, and the court has issued a warrant for Salim's arrest. Furthermore, instructions have been given to law enforcement agencies to apprehend him promptly upon his return from abroad.
The senior police officer's statement underlines the current limitation in taking further action against Anwar Hossain Salim until he returns to the country.
Further details from the investigation reveal that Salim swiftly established an office with a room in Zaman Tower of Purana Paltan in January of the current year. However, shortly thereafter, he disappeared without a trace. Anwar Hossain, a local businessman, mentioned that Salim later seemed to have shifted his activities towards the Gulshan and Banani areas.
The senior police officer's statement underscores the challenge in tracking Anwar Hossain Salim's movements, even during the period when he had established an office. No one could trace when Salim came and leave the office.
The investigation has revealed that Salim left Bangladesh for Dubai in February this year. Subsequently, he has engaged in business ventures, specifically in the car and restaurant sectors. Disturbingly, despite being implicated in fraudulent activities, Salim is reported to be leading a lavish lifestyle in Dubai, enjoying the proceeds obtained through illicit means. Media reports have confirmed his presence in various establishments, including dance bars.
Additional Superintendent of Police of the Immigration Department at Shahjalal International Airport, Tanjila Islam, has confirmed that they have received instructions from the court regarding the arrest warrant for Anwar Hossain Salim. With the court's directive in place, the Immigration Department is prepared to take immediate action upon Salim's arrival in the country.
Messenger/Disha
