The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Police on Thursday arrested a man for his alleged involvement in swindling Tk 2.31 crore.
Shohel Ahmed Apu, 28 was arrested from Dhaka’s Mirpur area, CID Chief and Additional Inspector General Mohammad Ali Mia confirmed the matter at a press briefing.
Mohammad Ali said, “The victim Sumon Al Reza, 40, got acquainted with the fraudster through Facebook. The fraudster posed as a Florida City Bank official and told the victim that he had a client who died in January 2010 and the client has no heir.
“However, he had deposited $60 lakh. The fraudster then lured the victim to become the bank client's heir. He offered to share it equally. The victim was convinced and gave Tk 9,70,000 for sending money through a courier service. After paying that amount, the fraudster demanded $55,000 [Tk 61,65,000] as federal taxes. The victim paid it also.”
The victim Suman Al Reza realised that he had been cheated when he did not receive the parcel as per the terms. He later filed a case in Uttara West Police Station on December 17, 2023, he also said.
The CID Chief said they started investigation after getting the case. They arrested two men named Akash and Ibrahim on January 25. The CID then arrested the ringleader Shohel Ahmed Apu.
He also sounded a strong note of caution against accepting promises of cash or valuable gifts from strangers on the internet.
