The Cyber Police Centre (CPC) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested an active member of a fraud syndicate that embezzled more than Tk 1 crore by luring victim into fake online investment schemes through the Telegram app.
The arrested was identified as Nadim, 32, son of Kayes Mia of Dakshinkandi village under Gobindapur union in Meghna upazila of Cumilla.
He was picked up from his Dhaka residence on Thursday, said CID Special Superintendent (Media) official.
According to primary investigation, a private bank’s senior principal officer received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number. The sender introduced herself as Nazneen, claiming to be a representative of the global freelancing platform Upwork, and offered part-time remote work opportunities.
To build credibility, the fraudsters initially assigned simple online tasks, such as subscribing to YouTube channels, and paid the victim Tk 150 and later Tk 2,100 through bKash. After gaining the victim’s trust, they added him to a Telegram group named @upworkfrontdesk2013 where fake members pretended to earn large amounts regularly.
As the victim’s confidence grew, the gang gradually persuaded him to complete larger tasks and eventually extracted Tk1,10,58,305 through various bank and mobile banking channels.
Following a complaint filed at Lalbagh Police Station under the DMP, the CID’s CPC unit took over the investigation. Nadim was arrested from his home in the capital, and officers seized his mobile phone, NID card and other digital evidence.
CID officials stated that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the fraud network.
Meanwhile, the CID has issued three safety guidelines, including avoid offers that promise easy or unusually high earnings online; verify identities, sources, and authenticity before making any monetary transactions; and report any suspected fraud to law enforcement without delay.
