Chattogram: Police have apprehended a young man from Patiya upazila in Chattogram on charges of fraud and extortion by exploiting the names of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and other senior state officials. The detained individual has been identified as Riyad Bin Salim, son of the late Md. Selim Uddin from the Paikpara area under Patiya municipality.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Chattogram Range, Nazmul Hasan, revealed the details during a press briefing held at the office of the Superintendent of Police in Chattogram on Sunday afternoon. Riyad was taken into custody from his home late Saturday night.
Authorities reported that Riyad had been engaging in fraudulent activities and extortion for an extended period by falsely claiming connections with high-ranking government officials. During the arrest, law enforcement officers confiscated several items from his possession, including an ID card with his photograph labeled 'CSF Chairperson's Security Force (ID No-013),' a metal detector, a walkie-talkie handset with a charger, a black-handled signal light, a monitoring cell card with his photo, a walkie-talkie-like mobile phone, and a button phone set.
Nazmul Hasan stated that Riyad frequently posted images on his Facebook account depicting supposed 'close associations' with top government figures and ministers, misleading the public. Police suspect these images were generated using artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, he is accused of fabricating fake ID cards for the Home Ministry's protocol wing.
Riyad allegedly extracted Tk 2.15 lakh from the wife of a man named Kamrul Hasan, under the pretext of securing his bail while he was incarcerated. A case has been registered with the local police station regarding this matter. Riyad is also facing multiple legal charges, including allegations of rape and narcotics offenses. Police report that he deceived several individuals by promising them employment in positions such as tax inspector, control operator, and server in-charge at Chattogram City Corporation.