Photo : Messenger
Altaf Hossain, hailing from Dinajpur Sadar, aspired to alleviate his family's poverty by seeking opportunities abroad. Upon reaching Dhaka, he sought refuge at the residence of Rezwan, a close relative. To finance their journey to Iraq, Altaf and Rezwan took the consequential step of selling the family's land. Entrusting their ambitions to Musharraf, the proprietor of a travel agency called RS Linkers, they handed over Tk 3.5 lakh. In exchange, Musharraf pledged a swift issuance of the visa.
Buoyed by Musharraf's assurances, Altaf envisioned a brighter future for his family. However, as the months passed, the promised progress failed to materialise. The passage of time eroded Altaf's trust in Musharraf's commitments. The dream of pursuing a better life abroad gradually waned, leaving Altaf grappling with shattered expectations.
Losing trust in Musharraf's assurances, Altaf and Rezwan found themselves in a predicament, desperate to retrieve the Tk 3.5 lakh they had invested. Despite expressing their desire for a refund, Musharraf remained unresponsive, leaving them in a state of financial uncertainty. The passage of an additional six months further intensified their ordeal.
In a determined effort to seek justice, Altaf and Rezwan decided to take legal action. They lodged a General Diary (GD) at the Uttara West Police Station, highlighting their grievances over the non-repayment of funds. Despite this setback, the duo has not succumbed to despair and continues to harbor hopes of recovering their hard-earned money.
Recently, this reporter engaged in a conversation with Altaf and Rezwan, shedding light on their harrowing experience as victims of a broken promise. Their resilience in pursuing legal avenues demonstrates their commitment to reclaiming what is rightfully theirs.
Altaf, the victim, expressed his deep distress, saying, "I arrived in Dhaka with hopeful aspirations to venture abroad. I invested my hard-earned money with optimism, but today, I find myself questioning why this unfortunate event has befallen me."
Regretfully, Altaf acknowledged, "We placed our trust in people too easily and handed over our funds, only to be deceived in such a manner." The weight of betrayal weighed heavily on him, evident in his tearful demeanor as he continued, "I sold my land, facing numerous challenges, and pooled all my resources. Yet, today's events have left me with a profound sense of loss, as I've not only lost my financial foundation but also jeopardised the well-being of my family. They now face an uncertain future."
Altaf's unfortunate experience is not an isolated incident; rather, it is emblematic of a broader issue plaguing the capital. Fraudsters bearing various aliases have been preying on unsuspecting individuals from rural areas with aspirations of going abroad for a better life. These individuals, driven by the desire to change their fortunes, often sell their possessions in the hopes of securing a brighter future.
These deceitful individuals have set up operations along the paths of those seeking opportunities abroad, capitalising on the vulnerability of those who have invested everything in the pursuit of a better life. Disturbingly, law enforcement agencies lack concrete statistics on the growing number of victims falling prey to such fraudulent schemes.
The situation is exacerbated by the presence of organised gangs operating under the guise of legitimate overseas employment agencies. These fraudulent entities exploit the dreams of hopeful workers, leaving them stranded with shattered dreams and depleted resources.
The extent of the issue becomes even more alarming as it has been discovered that there are at least 50 such fraudulent establishments operating in prominent areas of the capital, including Uttara, Kakrail, and Paltan. These establishments have been preying on individuals seeking opportunities abroad, leaving many victims in a state of distress. The rural population, arriving in the capital with hopes of a better future, finds themselves helpless against these unscrupulous fraudsters.
After a thorough investigation, it was revealed that Musharraf, operating through an organisation named RS Link in Uttara, embezzled several crores of taka by deceiving people aspiring to go abroad. Currently in hiding, Musharraf has left a trail of victims who used to visit his office in Uttara Sector 11 daily, desperately seeking answers and justice.
In a concerning turn of events, some individuals, likely fueled by desperation and frustration, have taken matters into their own hands. In a retaliatory move, Musharraf has reportedly employed a group of individuals, commonly referred to as "goons," to confront and intimidate those who are aggrieved and expressing their frustration.
The fraudulent activities appear to extend beyond the scope of a single company, with additional entities named JS Travels and Tours, as well as Eastern Business Limited, being implicated in similar financial schemes. Waliullah, the owner of the company called Eastern, has allegedly embezzled millions of taka under the pretense of facilitating travel to Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Disturbingly, it has been reported that Waliullah is no longer residing in the country and that his family has relocated to Malaysia, including his wife, son, and daughter.
Law enforcement, particularly the Metropolitan Detective Police, has become actively involved in addressing the rising instances of fraud perpetrated by unauthorised institutions. The initiation of compiling a list of such fraudulent entities is a crucial step toward systematic identification and intervention.
The police are actively engaging with victims who have filed General Diaries (GDs) against these fake and unauthorised organisations.
Metropolitan Detective Police Joint Commissioner Biplab Kumar Sarkar stated to The Daily Messenger that the police are actively addressing complaints from individuals who have been victims of fraudulent activities related to overseas travel. In addition, ongoing operations are being conducted against the perpetrators based on information provided by the victims. Commissioner Sarkar expressed optimism that some of the fraudsters responsible for deceiving individuals seeking to go abroad may be apprehended in the near future.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police KN Roy Niyati, from the DMP Media Center, mentioned that the government has implemented awareness programs across multiple platforms, including the media, to address the issue at hand. Various initiatives have been taken to educate the public and prevent individuals from falling victim to fraud when seeking opportunities abroad. Despite these efforts, it remains unfortunate if someone becomes a victim of fraud by approaching bogus organisations through intermediaries.
Commissioner Roy Niyati highlighted that both the Dhaka Metropolitan Police and the Intelligence Department are actively working on this matter. The commitment to addressing and preventing fraudulent activities related to overseas opportunities underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between law enforcement and awareness programs to safeguard the public from falling prey to such scams.
Commissioner KN Roy Niyati emphasised that a comprehensive investigation is underway into all the fraudulent organisations against which individuals have filed cases with the police. The authorities are actively pursuing efforts to apprehend the owners of these institutions, reflecting a determined commitment to bringing those responsible to justice.
Messenger/Fameema
