Travel Agent's Fraudulence
Victims passing days in uncertainty
Defrauded two years ago by a travel agent promising them of jobs abroad, at least 25 youths are now passing their days in uncertainty and helplessness.
The victims at a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city yesterday claimed police were not cooperating in this regard.
One victim Khalil Talukder said many of them sold their lands and properties and took high interest loans to collect around Tk 1.5 to Tk 2.5 lakh each as demanded by the travel agent Kazi Bilal.
But Kazi, owner of Mita Travels and Tours in the city's Naya Paltan, closed office within two months of getting the money and fled, he said.
“I collected Tk 26 lakh from nine youths in my village to go abroad with me. But now I cannot go back to my village,” said another victim Mohammad Jewel of Dash Hazar village of Faridpur.
A few weeks after they found the office closed, they complained to Paltan police over the matter, he said.
Detective police detained Kazi nine months ago. In presence of police, he gave Jewel two bank cheques, one worth Tk 7 lakh and another Tk 19 lakh, both of which bounced, said Jewel.
By the time, Jewel found the cheques worthless, police had released Kazi. He then filed a case accusing Kazi of fraudulence with Paltan Police Station, he added.
A couple of months ago, Kazi opened another travel agency VVS Travel Agency in the same area. When the jobseekers went there asking for refunds, the agency employees beat them up, Khalil alleged.
The victims later filed three cases against Kazi and other officials with Paltan Police Station, he said.
Contacted, Officer-in-Charge Shahidul Haq of Paltan Police Station denied the allegations of negligence and said they could not arrest Kazi as he is absconding abroad.
The victims demanded arrest of the agency officials and quick refund of their money.
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