Photo: Messenger
A gang is swindling money by promoting fake job opportunities at multinational companies (MNCs) on Facebook. Even the names of world-renowned companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook are used in these deceitful job advertisements. Beyond Facebook, these misleading advertisements proliferate on WhatsApp and Telegram, luring individuals with promises of substantial earnings. Recently, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and Counter Terrorism Unit apprehended both local and foreign fraudsters involved in this type of scam.
Nazmul Islam, an official in the cybercrime prevention team at the Counter Terrorism Unit, told The Daily Messenger, “A gang consistently deceives people through such advertisements, primarily using Facebook for promotion. This method enables rapid outreach to Facebook users, many of whom fall victim due to the enticing information provided.”
He advises against being misled by flashy advertisements bearing the names of major companies like Amazon, Google, and Facebook. Proper verification of domain names and URLs is crucial when outsourcing work. He emphasises refraining from joining unknown WhatsApp, Facebook, or Telegram groups and avoiding investments in unfamiliar platforms that promise extra profits or commissions. Suspicious sightings should be reported to the police promptly.
According to DB Cyber sources, fraudsters are advertising opportunities to earn thousands of taka by working for 15 to 20 minutes, using names and images of famous e-commerce companies through digital media. Some gang members based in China buy domains with names resembling American multinational companies like Amazon. They advertise on various platforms, including Facebook, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), and Telegram, with the assistance of Bangladeshi gang members. The enticing offers are presented in the name of Amazon itself.
People trust these digital channels to find jobs and make money. This digital system operates from China, attracting a 10 to 15 percent commission for Bkash, Nagad, and bank transactions, and more for other transactions.
Sources reveal that this gang is smuggling billions of taka to China through ‘hundi’ by online advertising, using names and images of various famous e-commerce companies, including Amazon, and earning thousands of taka by exploiting individuals through part-time online work.
A woman, who recently fell victim, said that she saw an advertisement from a company on her Facebook account. The ad claimed that individuals could earn from 200 Taka to 18 thousand Taka daily by working online for 15 to 20 minutes. Interested candidates were instructed to apply online.
Clicking on 'Apply Online' in the advertisement connected her to a WhatsApp group. During the conversation, an unknown person informed her about part-time work. Initially, she transferred an amount of Tk 44,061 to a Bkash number provided by the fraudsters in the promise to get the proposed work. Then, at various stages, Tk 95,685 through City Bank's
CityTouch mobile app and an additional 1 lakh 95 thousand 837 from her City Bank account number were transferred. Later, she realised she had fallen into the clutches of a fraudster.
In response, the victim filed a case at Ramana Model Police Station.
Saifur Rahman Azad, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of DB Cyber and Special Crime Department, confirmed the existence of such fraudulent circles. “A few days ago, we arrested fraudsters, including Chinese nationals, but such fraud continues unabated,” he said.
Messenger/Disha
