A Chattogram court has sent 63 foreign nationals to jail after they were arrested from a residential flat in the port city over allegations of involvement in online fraud.
A case was filed against them under the Cyber Security Act with Khulshi Police Station on Friday night following the raid. The police’s Counter Terrorism Unit (CTTC) has been tasked with investigating the case.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) Mohammad Hasan Iqbal Chowdhury stated that an application seeking remand for several of them may be submitted to the court on Sunday for further questioning.
Police conducted the raid on Thursday afternoon at flat E-2 on the fifth floor of an eight-storey building in Jalalabad Housing Society in the Krishnachura Residential Area under Khulshi Police Station.
During the operation, police detained the 63 foreign nationals and seized 134 mobile phones, 57 laptops, a tablet computer, CPU units, monitors, printers and pen drives.
However, forensic and technological examinations of the seized devices have yet to begin.
The devices are currently in the custody of the Counter Terrorism Unit, and their formal examination will begin after the authorities receive the necessary instructions or permission from the court.
CMP Deputy Commissioner (Crime) Faisal Ahmad said examination of the seized devices would begin after judicial approval was obtained.
He said crucial information about the alleged online fraud operations could be recovered from the mobile phones and laptops, but police could not yet determine the exact nature of the activities carried out inside the flat until forensic examinations were completed.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), all 63 accused have the same flat listed as their present address.
Of those arrested, 35 are citizens of Laos, 21 are from Pakistan, five are from China, Nepal, Vietnam.
The 35 Laotian nationals are Tieng, Mani Van, Keo, Tok, Simonekham, Dao, Meko, Ali, Sakon, Khon Chai, Boon Mi, Toyo, Suksakhon, Sulisa, Manivan Chanthaphon, Phuang, Mai, Boonthavi, Keomani, Siampai, Ni, Noksannivath Bualienphai, Sufabon Vong Nai, Thilakon Phun Sa Vath, Yileng Thor, Somchit Jaiyavong, Phaimani Sisombuth, Phetsamguan Keota, Siliphong Inthavong, Thongjiua Chanthavong, Saikath Buavan, Sivilai, Mixai Vonghalath, Vilaiphon Luanglath and Somphuvan Phomphithak.
The 21 Pakistani nationals are Ahsan Sabir, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Talha, Mohammad Usman, Mohammad Ramzan, Mohammad Khan, Naveed Khan, Farhan Ullah, Rehan Ali, Fahad Jamil, Khizar Farooq, Zain-ul-Abidin, Ali Ahmed, Amir Zaman, Amjad, Gohar, Hammad, Huzaifa Khan, Shahzad Khan, Sonia and Mariam.
The five Chinese nationals are Liu Gunang Shu, Zhang Qin, Yang Yong Bio, Liu Bing and Yang Zhong Hai.
The remaining two accused are Saroj from Nepal and Thuong Thi Dang from Vietnam.
