The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested three members of an organised fraudulent syndicate for allegedly embezzling money by creating a cloned website of Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).
The suspects reportedly operated an AI-based scam, stealing personal and banking information under the guise of collecting traffic fines.
The arrestees have been identified as Md Rabbi Sheikh, 24, son of Md Saifuddin Sheikh from Batiaghata, Khulna; Md Riyad Hossain, 31, son of late Mintu Mia from Sonagazi, Feni; and Md Sajjad Hossain, 31, son of Md Anisur Rahman from Dakshinkhan, Dhaka.
Multiple teams from Cyber Intelligence and Risk Management unit of Cyber Police Centre (CPC) conducted coordinated raids in Khulna, Feni, and various areas under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) based on technological analysis and intelligence.
Rabbi was first apprehended in Khulna, and based on his information, Riyad and Sajjad were subsequently arrested in Feni and Dhaka respectively.
According to CID, the syndicate’s modus operandi involved sending SMS alerts to citizens, falsely claiming their vehicles had violated traffic signals. The messages warned of legal action and provided a link to a fraudulent website designed to look exactly like the official BRTA portal.
Fearing legal repercussions, victims would click the link and enter their bank card details or banking app credentials to pay “fine”. The fraudsters would then trick the victims into providing One-Time Passwords (OTPs) to carry out unauthorised transactions.
The investigation was launched following a complaint from a victim who received an SMS regarding a Tk3,000 fine for his office vehicle. The message stated that the fine would be reduced to Tk1,500 if paid within 48 hours.
Believing it to be legitimate, the victim entered his wife’s credit card information and bank app login details on the site. Shortly after providing the OTP, Tk3 lakh was fraudulently transferred from the account.
CID’s investigation revealed that the syndicate has embezzled a total of Tk7,25,600 from multiple victims using this method.
A case has been registered at Uttara West Police Station under Cyber Protection Act, 2026. During primary interrogation, the suspects admitted their involvement in the scam.
The CID stated that efforts are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the group. The arrested individuals are currently in the process of being produced before the court.
The Cyber Police Centre (CPC) has issued a public warning, urging citizens to be cautious of phishing attempts. The CID advised the public to verify any SMS or payment instructions through official government channels and warned against sharing bank details, PINs, or OTPs on suspicious websites.
