Photo: Messenger
Abdus Salam, a prominent businessman from Kesharhat Municipality Sadar in Mohanpur Upazila of Rajshahi, utilises mail for various business dealings. Recently, he came across a mail from a woman in Yemen in his correspondence.
In the mail, the woman shares the heartbreaking news of losing her entire family-parents, brothers, and sisters – during the war in her country. Despite her tragic circumstances, she reveals that she possesses assets exceeding 5 million dollars and expresses her desire to invest this capital in a Muslim-majority nation. The woman invites interested parties, including Abdus Salam, to respond via mail if they are interested in pursuing potential investment opportunities.
After establishing contact through email, Abdus Salam placed his trust in the woman's words and reached out to her. She informed him that her associate had already departed with $2 million in Dhaka. However, she mentioned that $500,000 would be required for customs clearance of the dollars. Abdus Salam, in his naivety, complied and transferred the requested amount. Subsequently, he was instructed to travel to Dhaka to collect the dollars.
Driven by the allure of a substantial sum, Abdus Salam journeyed to Dhaka as instructed. Upon arrival, he was handed a briefcase by an individual from an African country and instructed to take it home and open it. Expectantly, Abdus Salam eagerly opened the briefcase, only to find it filled not with money, but with worthless paper.
Similarly, Sumon Al Reza, a renowned businessman from Uttara in the capital, fell victim to a similar scheme. Introduced to a fraudulent circle on Facebook, he was informed of a deceased client with a deposit of 60 lakh taka in the Florida City Bank of America. With no heirs, the client's funds could be claimed with the submission of certain documents. However, like Abdus Salam, Sumon Al Reza found himself ensnared in deception, realising that the promised fortune was nothing more than an illusion.
Suman handed over all the necessary documents, lured by enticing promises. The scammer then informed him that the funds wouldn't be deposited directly, but instead, he'd need to settle a $55,000 federal tax obligation through a bank transaction. Trusting the instructions, Suman complied and transferred the specified amount through the banking channel. However, despite the payment, no funds materialised. It was then that he realised he had been ensnared in deception.
Realising the gravity of the situation, Suman promptly lodged a case at Uttara West Police Station, seeking justice and retribution for the fraudulent scheme he had fallen victim to.
The Criminal Investigation Agency (CID) has initiated detective surveillance in a case involving a gang employing a novel method to steal lakhs of money from unsuspecting victims. After extensive investigation, the entire network, including the mastermind, Apu, along with associates Akash and Ibrahim, has been apprehended.
CID chief Muhammad Ali informed the press that this sophisticated gang specifically targets affluent businessmen and wealthy individuals. Victims fall prey to their intricate schemes, resulting in losses ranging from lakhs to crores of taka. Regrettably, many victims choose not to report the incidents to authorities due to fear of public embarrassment.
They disclosed crucial information during the interrogation that led to the arrest of the gang. Shockingly, it was revealed that they had deceitfully deposited over 2 crore taka into their own bank account, effectively becoming millionaires through fraudulent means.
Furthermore, he elaborated that this criminal syndicate is not confined to local actors alone; it has international connections, with some foreigners residing illegally in our country collaborating with them. Under the guise of facilitating transactions involving millions of dollars, customs duties, bank clearances, and courier charges, they continue to swindle millions of taka from unsuspecting victims.
He emphasised the importance of vigilance in dealing with suspicious messages received via platforms like Facebook or email. He advised refraining from contacting such individuals and urged individuals to notify law enforcement agencies before proceeding with any transactions.
He issued a cautionary reminder: "Beware of virtual bait." It's crucial not to fall victim to scammers and lose hard-earned money. He advised against complying with cash or valuable gift requests from unfamiliar individuals in the cyber world to avoid being duped. It's essential to exercise caution and skepticism to protect oneself from falling prey to fraudulent schemes.
Recent sources have revealed alarming information suggesting the existence of at least 10 such criminal circles operating within the country. These fraudsters, centralized in Dhaka, exercise control over their operations. It's estimated that around a hundred members are dispersed across various regions of the country, amplifying their reach and impact.
Their targets extend beyond Dhaka, encompassing affluent businessmen and retired government officials in different regions. Leveraging their social status and influence, they ensnare unsuspecting victims in their traps. This systematic approach has enabled them to accumulate billions of taka through elaborate schemes promising millions of dollars in returns.
CID has confirmed its commitment to bringing all members of these circles to justice swiftly.
Messenger/Sajib
