Dhaka: Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has initiated the process to deport Frank Coco, a Nigerian citizen, to his home country due to his suspected involvement with a cyber group accused of extorting money through fraudulent means.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Major Md Ahnaf of RAB-1 stated that a letter was sent to the Special Branch (SB) requesting necessary measures to deport Coco. The letter includes case dockets and links to news articles from English dailies that document Coco's criminal activities during his time in Bangladesh.
A RAB-1 team arrested Coco, along with another Nigerian citizen, Emanuwel, and a Bangladeshi woman, Sweety Akhter, in separate operations in the Pallabi and Mirpur areas of the capital. During these raids, authorities seized various electronic devices, including laptops, iPhones, smart mobile phones, button mobile phones, a tablet, and a hard drive, which were allegedly used in the fraudulent activities.
Regarding the deportation of Emanuwel, the RAB officer mentioned that they are still verifying his entry status into Bangladesh. If it is confirmed that Emanuwel entered the country illegally, legal procedures will be followed for his deportation. The SB will ascertain whether he arrived on a tourist visa or through unlawful means.
Maj Ahnaf noted that Nigeria lacks an embassy in Bangladesh, which led Coco to enter the country on a tourist visa via India, where Nigeria maintains an embassy. During preliminary interrogations, the detainees confessed to their extended involvement in fraud.
Coco and Emanuwel have been engaged in fraudulent activities for nearly two years, while their accomplice, Sweety Akhter, joined them three months ago. Coco had previously been arrested by RAB-10 but resumed illegal activities after obtaining bail.
The recent RAB operation uncovered approximately Tk 18 lakh in Nagad and Bikash accounts linked to the group, with money still being deposited from various sources. Maj Ahnaf revealed that Sweety Akhter contacted numerous Bangladeshis and extorted money by luring them, with the local coordinator receiving a 10%-15% share of the fraudulent earnings.