A luxury resort along the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive was used as a base for an international cyber fraud operation involving Chinese and Taiwanese nationals, police have revealed.
During a raid on the Marina Beach Villa in Himchhari, police uncovered a sophisticated digital setup featuring six soundproof rooms, a main hall fitted with computer terminals, and nearly 2,000 legacy iPhones.
Investigators suspect the facility operated online financial scams, including fake trading platforms, fraudulent investment schemes, artificial market manipulation, and other digital fraud.
Police noted that forensic analysis of the seized hardware will be required to confirm the precise scope of the illicit activities.
According to investigators, the syndicate took control of the resort under the pretense of launching a construction business. They managed the property independently, hiring their own staff and private security personnel.
The ring also leased two nearby resorts and a private residence to house its members. Police estimate that between 200 and 300 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals had been staying across the four properties since March.
Detectives are now working to establish how many were directly involved in the cyber operations.
Acting on joint intelligence from Cox’s Bazar Police, the District Special Branch (SB), and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police SB, Ramu police launched an operation on Thursday, arresting six foreign nationals. They were subsequently remanded in custody by court order.
Those detained comprise five Chinese nationals – Xu Yangfan, Yan Changsheng, Xu Haiyang, Wu Jianxiong, and Zhang Zheming – and Taiwanese national Wei Ching Wen.
Four other Chinese nationals – Zhan Yuan Fan (also known as Babar Ali), Pai Leding, Wu Ziping, and Jian Zhang – escaped during the raid and remain at large.
Search teams at Marina Beach Villa seized 1,938 iPhones, 50 monitors, 44 computer towers, 30 keyboards, 40 mice, two laptops, two printers, and 24 connection boards.
Officers also recovered Chinese police-style rank badges, a police-logo tie, two Chinese national flags, 15 notebooks, and a diary.
The enquiry began following reports of suspicious activity at the coastal compound. During an initial raid on 25 August, several suspects fled onto the open beach behind the property, leaving the bulk of the equipment behind in the main hall.
Enquiries established that a Chinese national using the alias “Babar Ali”, later identified as Zhan Yuan Fan, began leasing local properties in April, assisted by Pai Leding.
Another suspect, Wu Ziping, claimed to represent “Jin Shin Construction Company”. However, checks by the District SB confirmed no such company exists.
After securing the sites, the group modified the interiors, installed internal security networks, and brought in dedicated personnel to maintain tight control over the perimeter.
The operation has drawn interest from high-level law enforcement and diplomatic officials.
A three-member delegation from the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka inspected the site, with representatives verbally acknowledging that the facility appeared to be linked to transnational fraud.
A nine-member team led by a Deputy Inspector General from the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit also assessed the laboratory.
Following the first raid, police learned several syndicate members had moved to hotels in Cox’s Bazar town. Detectives subsequently raided two establishments in the Kalatali area, arresting six suspects and seizing six mobile phones, five passports, and three identity cards.
Foreign nationals residing in Bangladesh are legally required to submit passport and visa details to the local Special Branch. However, no records were submitted for any of the foreign guests, nor had resort management reported their presence.
Investigators are now focusing on why nearly 2,000 legacy iPhones were concentrated at the property, the exact function of the desktop arrays, and the purpose of the six soundproof rooms.
Inspector Mintu Dutta of Ramu Police Station has filed a case under the Cyber Security Act, naming the six arrested individuals, the four fugitives, and between 250 and 300 unidentified suspects.
Cox’s Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Md Ohidur Rahman confirmed the operation followed intelligence from Dhaka and local complaints.
“Formal proceedings have been initiated over allegations of cybercrime and international online financial fraud,” he stated, “The investigation remains active.”
