Four Arrested at Ministry of Public Administration Over Proxy Exam Fraud
Four individuals were detained at the Ministry of Public Administration on Friday after being caught impersonating successful candidates for the position of office assistant. The deception was uncovered during the formal onboarding process when the physical appearance of the four men failed to match the photographs taken during their initial oral examinations.
The suspects, identified as Md. Abdul Alim from Tangail, Md. Ali Haider from Sirajganj, Md. Russell Rana Liton from Kurigram, and Md. Masud Fakir from Gazipur, were scheduled to submit their joining letters to the joint secretary of the ministry at the Secretariat. Upon inspection, officials noticed discrepancies between the individuals standing before them and the documented images from the recruitment phase. Under questioning, the four men confessed that they had hired proxies to sit for the oral examinations on their behalf.
The Ministry of Public Administration subsequently filed a formal complaint with the Shahbag Police Station. According to the ministry's records, the oral examinations for the suspects had taken place in late June. Specifically, Abdul Alim appeared on June 24, Ali Haider and Russell Rana Liton on June 25, and Masud Fakir on June 28.
The investigation began following the recruitment process for office assistants, which saw over 23,700 applicants for the vacant roles. Following a written examination held on June 19, where more than 9,000 candidates competed across five centers, 107 individuals were shortlisted for oral interviews. On July 6, the ministry finalized the selection of 20 successful candidates and issued appointment letters, stipulating that they report to the Secretariat by July 19 to officially assume their duties.
The ministry confirmed that the suspects provided written statements admitting to the fraudulent scheme. Authorities are now proceeding with legal action as part of the formal complaint filed against the four men.
