Five Chinese nationals among gang of eight online fraudsters arrested in Dhaka

The cyber unit of the Detective Branch of police has arrested eight online fraudsters, including five Chinese nationals, in Dhaka and seized over 51,000 SIM cards, VoIP gateway devices, and mobile phones used in cybercrime operations.

The arrestees are Chen Ling Feng, Zeng Cong, Zeng Changqiang, Wen Xian Qiu, Huang Zheng Xiang, Md Zakaria, 26, Niaz Masum, 20, and Kamrul Hasan alias Hasan Joy, 38.

At a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Minto Road today, Deputy Commissioner (Cyber North) Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabder said the arrests were made during week-long drives in Bashundhara Residential Area and areas under Uttara West police station.

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On January 7, a raid in Bashundhara led to the arrests of Niaz and Hasan, and the recovery of 14 VoIP gateway devices, 51,067 SIM cards, four mobile phones, two computers, and one laptop.

Subsequently, on January 12, five Chinese nationals and another Bangladeshi were arrested in Uttara, where seven illegal VoIP gateway devices, 47 mobile phones, 184 SIM cards, and five laptops were seized.

Preliminary investigation suggests, the DC said, the gang of fraudsters used Telegram, WhatsApp, and other social media groups to lure people with fake job offers, high-return investment schemes, low-priced products, and "work from home" advertisements.

Money swindled from victims was later converted into cryptocurrency and transferred abroad through VoIP gateway machines, the DB official said.

He also warned the public against making financial transactions through unknown bKash or other mobile financial service accounts, saying fraudsters often persuade people to allow the use of their accounts, leaving them exposed to legal complications.

Regarding the arrival and visa status of the Chinese nationals, the DC said their passports are being verified. Digital devices seized from them were reportedly found using Chinese software applications, he added.

The DC further said that Niaz and Hasan have already been produced before the court, whilst legal proceedings against the remaining arrestees are underway.