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Detective police in Natore have arrested a man for allegedly impersonating a staff member of the prime minister’s additional press secretary and collecting money through digital platforms by promising government benefits and political appointments.
The arrestee was identified as Abu Huraira, also known as Khalid and Rashed, 30, son of Ziadul Islam of Balua Basua village in Singra upazila of Natore.
Superintendent of Police Mohammad Shariful Haque disclosed the arrest at a press briefing outside his office in Natore around noon on Saturday, October 24.
According to the police chief, Rashed had allegedly been contacting influential political figures, government employees and other prominent individuals for a long time using his personal mobile number and digital platforms, including WhatsApp, bKash, Nagad and Rocket.
He allegedly introduced himself as a staff member of Atiqur Rahman Ruman, the prime minister’s additional press secretary.
Using the false identity, Rashed and his associates allegedly demanded large sums of money from various individuals, promising government facilities, political appointments and party nominations.
Police said that on October 19, the accused sent messages demanding money in exchange for filling out forms for appointments to BNP party positions using the same false identity. The matter eventually came to the attention of Atiqur Rahman Ruman.
Following instructions from senior authorities, a team of Natore District Detective Branch police used information technology to trace the suspect and arrested him in Balua Basua village of Singra upazila.
The police superintendent said a case had been filed against the accused with Singra Police Station under the Cyber Security Act 2023 and relevant sections of the Penal Code.
Police are continuing operations to identify and arrest others allegedly involved in the fraud.
According to police, Abu Huraira alias Rashed served as organising secretary of Singra municipal unit of Bangladesh Chhatra League from 2018 to 2019. He also worked as an assistant radio technician at Bangladesh Betar’s Natore station from 2018 to 2023.
Police further said he had previously faced cases over alleged fraud and the use of fake identities on social media.