Two arrested over fraud racket targeting govt officials

Police have arrested two individuals in connection with a fraud syndicate that allegedly collected large sums of money from government officials and employees by promising desirable postings and promotions using the names of different ministries, including the home ministry.

The arrests were made following a complaint and subsequent investigation carried out by the Detective Branch (DB), said DMP Additional Commissioner and DB chief Md Shafiqul Islam during a briefing at the DMP media centre this afternoon.

The arrestees are M Aminur Rahman Shanto, 44, and Nilufa Sultana, 56. Nilufa serves as a personal officer to an official of Discipline Branch-2 of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The group is also accused of targeting ordinary citizens and political figures, the police official added.

According to police, to establish credibility, members of the racket at times introduced themselves as senior officials of the home ministry, relatives of political leaders, or senior administrative officials.

Police said they took action after a written complaint was filed on Wednesday by one Kamrul Hasan, assistant private secretary to the home minister, with the DMP commissioner, alleging that an unidentified person was contacting officials via a messaging app and claiming to arrange transfers and promotions in exchange for money.

Following the complaint, the DB Cyber and Special Crime (North) division launched an investigation. Acting on intelligence, police arrested Shanto from a house in West Rampura under Hatirjheel Police Station around 9:35pm on May 20, and seized a mobile phone.

During interrogation, Shanto admitted to the crime, according to DB officials. His messages later led police to Nilufa Sultana, who was also arrested.

Md Shafiqul Islam said police are conducting digital forensics. Preliminary findings show that there were exchanges related to transfers, postings, collection of CVs, and monetary demands for certain positions.

He said investigators had recovered conversations on a messaging platform involving multiple individuals.

“They discussed possible postings and how much money would be required for different positions.”

He added that no senior government official’s involvement has so far been found, though investigations are ongoing.

Police have filed a case with Ramna Police Station over the incident.