The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested two members of a fraudulent syndicate for embezzling approximately Tk86 lakh through a fake investment scheme on WhatsApp, promising quick high returns.
The arrested are Md Masum Rana (38) and Md Shamim Akhter (36), both from Birampur Police Station in Dinajpur district, CID said in a press release on Thursday.
According to the investigation, Saleh Ahammed Khan, an employee of BIWTA in Narayanganj, came into contact with the syndicate through a WhatsApp group. The fraudsters, operating under the name of a fake company called “Dreampairing MCS Ltd,” enticed him to invest by promising high returns and sent him a fake contract via WhatsApp.
Trusting them, the complainant paid a total of Tk85,87,400 through cash, bKash, and bank accounts, using his savings, office funds, and money obtained by mortgaging his wife’s gold, the press release said. The fraudsters then embezzled the money after promising to pay high monthly dividends.
When the victim tried to contact them, the accused misled him by giving different addresses at different times. After visiting an address in Segunbagicha, Dhaka, he confirmed that the establishment had no existence and the company was completely fake. He subsequently filed a case at Narayanganj Sadar Police Station.
Following the complaint, CID’s Cyber Investigation and Operations Unit began an investigation. Using information technology analysis, they identified possible locations of the accused in Dinajpur district and conducted operations.
Masum Rana was arrested on Wednesday evening from a pharmacy in Birampur, while Shamim Akhter was arrested early Thursday from his residence.
During preliminary interrogation, both confessed to their involvement in the crime, CID said. The arrested have been sent to court, and investigations are ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate.
