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The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested the suspected mastermind of a fraud ring accused of posing as an airport auction official to scam victims with promises of heavily discounted electronic goods.
Md Ibrahim Hossain, a resident of Demra in Dhaka, was arrested early Sunday by a specialised team from the Cyber Investigation and Operations Unit of the CID’s Cyber Police Centre, according to a press release.
He was detained from the Commissioner Goli area of Uttar Badda. During the অভিযান, law enforcers seized five mobile phones — including an iPhone believed to have been used in the scam — along with seven SIM cards.
According to investigators, the fraud ring defrauded a victim of nearly Tk31 lakh.
The victim, an employee of a private life insurance company, later filed a case with Paltan Police Station under the Cyber Security Act. The investigation was subsequently transferred to the CID’s Cyber Police Centre.
CID officials said the suspects initially contacted the victim via WhatsApp, introducing themselves as officials from the auction department at Dhaka airport.
They later claimed to be senior personnel, including the operations manager, gradually gaining the victim’s trust.
The group allegedly offered confiscated or unclaimed iPhones, Samsung smartphones, laptops and other electronic items at prices far below market value, claiming the goods would be sold through an airport auction.
They reportedly promised to supply 110 iPhones, 70 Samsung smartphones and 543 laptops, persuading the victim to transfer around Tk31 lakh through two bank accounts and three mobile financial service (MFS) accounts in several instalments.
After receiving the money, the suspects failed to deliver the goods, repeatedly offered excuses and eventually cut off all communication, the CID said.
During preliminary interrogation, investigators said they obtained crucial information linking Ibrahim to the fraud.
The CID also revealed that he had previously been named in the charge sheet of another digital fraud case filed with Bhatara Police Station, which is currently pending before a court.
Investigators are now examining his possible involvement in additional cases and continuing efforts to identify and arrest other members of the fraud ring.