A court in Cox’s Bazar on Monday granted a three-day remand for six citizens of China and Taiwan arrested in a cyber crime case. The order was passed by the court of Cox’s Bazar Senior Judicial Magistrate SM Gias Uddin.
The investigating officer of the case, Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Inspector Abul Kalam, had prayed for a five-day remand for the accused. Following the hearing, the court granted a three-day remand.
Confirming the matter, prosecution lawyer Advocate Sawkat Osman said a five-day remand had been sought for deeper investigation into the involvement of the accused in the crime and to conduct further examination of the recovered devices.
He added that the court granted three days’ remand after the hearing.
On the other hand, defence lawyer Advocate Abdul Mannan argued that while uncovering the truth regarding the cyber crime is essential, if the arrested persons came to Bangladesh for tourism or other purposes, they have legal grounds for release; otherwise, the image of the country could be tarnished.
Earlier, at around 9am on Monday, the six foreign nationals were brought to court from prison, and following the remand order after the hearing, they were sent back to jail.
According to police sources, Ramu Police arrested the six individuals on 4 September on charges of setting up a hideout for an international online fraud ring by renting three resorts and a residential building near Himchhari sea beach in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar.
Subsequently, a case was registered over the incident at Ramu Police Station under the Cyber Protection Act. Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Police was assigned responsibility to investigate the case.
Secret operations and raid
First Information Report (FIR) of the case mentions that around 250 to 300 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals were staying there and secretly conducting activities. A computer lab was set up in the hall room of a resort, alongside six soundproof rooms.
The recovery of a vast quantity of electronic equipment, including 1,938 iPhones of various models, computers, and laptops, from these rooms was cited in the FIR.
District Police claimed that preliminary information indicated the ring was involved in various forms of online financial fraud.
Earlier, on 25 August, members of the syndicate fled during a police raid.
Subsequently, a three-member delegation from Chinese Embassy in Dhaka and a team from Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of the Police Criminal Investigation Department inspected the scene.
According to the FIR, around 250 to 300 citizens of China and Taiwan arrived in Bangladesh last March.
In the following month, they rented Marina Beach Villa Resort, Dream Holiday Resort, Orchid Blue Resort, and a residential building named Elias Brothers on Marine Drive in Ramu.
After renting the resorts, syndicate members took management of various operational matters under their control, including altering existing structures, redecorating, and appointing security guards and staff.
Police claimed that the entire security system was also under the control of the foreign nationals.
The case FIR mentions that a computer lab was set up in a hall room of Marina Beach Villa Resort in Himchhari, alongside six soundproof rooms.
Police suspect that secret activities were being carried out in these rooms using 1,938 iPhones of various models, computers, laptops, and other electronic equipment.
Fake identity and concealed bookings
A report from the Police Special Branch said the matter came to the attention of police in April.
Although residential hotels are required to submit passport copies and other information of foreign guests to District Special Branch office, the four establishments concealed the fact that they had rented premises to foreigners.
When District Special Branch officials later interrogated the resort management, they disclosed that a Chinese national named Zhan Yuan Fan rented the resorts from April using the alias “Babar Ali.”
Special Branch report further mentioned that they claimed to be staying there as part of setting up a construction firm named “Jin Shin Construction Company” in Bangladesh; however, an investigation by District Special Branch found no existence of any organisation by that name.
Seizure of evidence and fugitives
According to the case FIR, 1,938 iPhones, 50 monitors, 44 CPUs, 30 keyboards, two laptops, two printers, 40 mice, one IPS, and 24 connection boards, along with various electronic equipment, were recovered from a hall room of Marina Beach Villa Resort during the raid.
The FIR also mentions recovery of Chinese police rank badges, the national flag of China, and a tie bearing a police logo.
Police said the seized evidence was initially kept in the custody of the general manager of Marina Beach Villa Resort.
Later, on 3 September, police took the items into their own custody under a seizure list in the presence of witnesses.
The case FIR also names four other Chinese nationals, showing them as fugitives, and police said operations are underway to arrest them.
