The arrested staff of the NGO at Kamal Nagar, Swaranika International Company Ltd, are assistant manager Rehena Khatun, daughter of Abdul Kader of village Shushilgati in Debhata upazila, assistant manager Rizia Khatun, daughter of Azizur Rahman of village Haidarabad in Shyamnagar upazila and Hafizur Rahman, son of Yunus Khan of Rasulpur in Sadar upazila in Satkhira district and Ariful Islam, son of Atiar Rahman of village Shukurkhola in Jhhikargachha upazila and Sazed Ali, son of Zinnat Ali of village Bhabati in Keshabpur upazila in Jessore district.

However, the so-called executive director along with other directors fled away with the money, said arrested Rehena Khatun.

They pasted advertisement on walls of different government and non-government offices for recruitment of officials and staff.

Being allured, unemployed youths handed over Tk 15 lakh to the cheats and joined the office, police said. When they realised that it was a fake NGO, they informed the matter to police. Later, police arrested five of its officials and staff.

Habib Ahmed, son of Shafiqur Rahman of village Sarafpur in Assassuni upazila said he joined the NGO by handing over Tk 30,000 to its staff Golap and Forhad. He lodged a complaint with Sadar Police Station, Habib Said.

On contact, Sadar Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Safiqur Rahman confirmed the incident.