"Keep Tk 2cr ready, pay Tk 10 lakh every month': Ctg ISP owner threatened before attack

An internet service provider’s office in Chattogram city’s Bakalia Access Road area was vandalised and looted today after its owner allegedly refused to pay Tk 2 crore extortion money.

The attack was allegedly carried out by associates of Mobarak Hossain Emon, also known as David Emon, who is said to be linked to Sazzad Ali -- better known as Boro Sazzad -- a top gangster listed by both Bangladesh Police and Interpol.

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The office of Digital Dot Net (DDN) and Exabyte was targeted, with attackers looting laptops, mobile phones, cash and other valuables.

DDN owner Adil Bin Mamun told The Daily Star that he received a WhatsApp call last Saturday from a foreign number. The caller identified himself as David Imon.

“He told me that if I wanted to continue my business, I would have to pay Tk 2 crore to his men, along with Tk 10 lakh every month. The next day, another person called me from a Bangladeshi number and asked when I would make the payment. After I refused, I received a message around midnight on Sunday saying, ‘Wait and see,’” he said.

Adil confirmed that a police complaint has been filed.

Md Robiul Hossain Rakib, DDN’s head of sales, told The Daily Star that around 30-35 masked men carrying sharp weapons stormed the office, vandalised furniture and computers, and looted valuables before fleeing within minutes.

During a phone conversation, Emon allegedly told Adil, "I am David Emon. Ask the CMP commissioner about me. Show him my phone number. From now on, we will run the business. You will no longer do business. If you want to do business, just look at what happened at Smart Group owner Mujib's house."

“We are operating businesses all over Chattogram... You have been doing business for 15-20 years. That’s enough. Now it’s our boys’ turn... If you want to stay in business, keep Tk 2 crore ready and pay Tk 10 lakh every month,” Emon said in the roughly seven-minute conversation.

Earlier, armed criminals linked to Boro Sazzad allegedly opened fire twice at the residence of Smart Group owner Mujibur Rahman in Chandanpura, demanding Tk 10 crore.

Who is Emon?

Mobarak Hossain Emon is accused in at least seven criminal cases, including a double murder in Bakalia on March 30, 2025 and the killing of gangster Dhakaiya Akbar at Patenga sea beach on May 23, 2025.

Police say he has access to 15-20 firearms and is highly skilled in handling weapons.

Investigators allege he arranged armed assailants and rented motorcycles used in the Bakalia double murder.

He is currently considered one of two key figures leading criminal activities in Chattogram on behalf of fugitive gangster Boro Sazzad.

The group was previously led by Chhoto Sazzad, now in prison, with Emon and Mohammad Raihanul Alam allegedly taking over leadership.