CID arrests two in Bangladesh for Australia job scam targeting expatriate
CID arrests two in Bangladesh for Australia job scam targeting expatriate
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Bangladesh Police has arrested two individuals in Nilphamari for allegedly defrauding an Omani expatriate of approximately 1.46 lakh taka under the guise of securing employment and permanent residency in Australia.
The suspects, identified as 26-year-old Md. Rakibul Hossain and 19-year-old Md. Roni Islam, were apprehended on Wednesday during an operation at the Kamarpukur Bazar area in Saidpur. Authorities seized six mobile phones and 12 SIM cards from the pair, which officials say were primary tools in the sophisticated fraud scheme.
According to the CID, the victim, who had been working in Oman, was contacted last December by an acquaintance who promised him a job in Australia. The victim was subsequently introduced to a man calling himself “Khaja Mohammad Ali,” who claimed to be living in Australia. This individual utilized various communication platforms, including WhatsApp, Imo, and Facebook Messenger, to orchestrate the scam.
Over several months, the perpetrators convinced the victim to transfer a total of 146,400 taka through mobile financial services under the pretext of covering processing fees, online applications, and visa documentation costs. The suspects even provided the victim with bank account details to solicit further payments. However, after the funds were transferred, the suspects abruptly ceased communication and deactivated their mobile numbers.
An investigation revealed that Roni Islam operated a fraudulent Facebook page under the alias “Khaja Mohammad Ali,” featuring professional-looking videos concerning Australian work permits and immigration to lure victims. To bolster their credibility, the group utilized Australian phone numbers to conduct their communications via Imo. Rakibul Hossain reportedly assisted in the scheme by managing the collection, transfer, and laundering of the illicit funds through various mobile banking accounts.
The case was brought to light after the victim’s nephew filed a formal complaint at the Jatrabari Police Station in Dhaka on June 2. Following the arrests, CID officials stated that the suspects confessed to the long-running operation. Authorities are currently continuing their investigation to identify and capture additional members of the criminal network.
The CID has issued a stern warning to the public, urging potential migrants to exercise extreme caution. Officials advised that individuals should thoroughly verify the legitimacy of any recruiting agency and the formal visa process before transferring any funds for overseas employment or immigration services.
