Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police has seized property worth of Tk76,32,000 purchased with funds embezzled through Facebook-based fraud.
CID Special Superintendent (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan confirmed the matter in a press release on Thursday.
Following an order from the Senior Special Judge of the Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court, assets held under the name of scammer Monirul Islam have been forfeited to the state.
According to CID investigations, Monirul used Facebook accounts to send friend requests to elderly individuals from various professions. He established relationships with victims by posing as a doctor, a college principal, or the Private Secretary (PS) to the Prime Minister.
By using a female voice over the phone to gain trust, he would eventually elicit sympathy by claiming his parents were ill, thereby securing “loans” from the victims. Once the money was received, he would switch off his mobile phone and go into hiding.
He embezzled money by opening bKash accounts using National Identity Cards (NIDs) of various unknown individuals, alongside his own bank accounts. He used these funds to purchase 7.5 decimals of land in the Amulia Model Town area under Demra Police Station (deed value Tk9.33 lakh).
Monirul also purchased a 2,150-square-foot flat in the Boro Sayek mouza under Darus-Salam Police Station (deed value Tk42.25 lakh). Including these properties, a total of Tk76.32 lakh in immovable assets has been confiscated by the state under court order.
Financial Crime Unit of the CID is currently conducting the investigation. Inquiries and investigations by the CID are ongoing to uncover the full details of the crime, identify other unknown members, and facilitate further legal processes.
