Dhaka:The Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has arrested five individuals, including the alleged mastermind, accused of being members of a honey-trap and blackmailing gang. The arrests were made during a raid in the Turag area of the capital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, DB chief Md Shafiqul Islam shared the details at a press briefing held at the DMP Media Centre. The arrested individuals have been identified as Jit Bhakta alias Abdur Rahman, 38, Pritam Biswas alias Anik Sheikh, 30, Arthajit Bhakta alias Siddhartha, 20, Sabrin Kabir Prema alias Neha, 22, and Sadia Yasmin alias Mahi, 21, comprising three men and two women. Jit Bhakta alias Abdur Rahman is alleged to be the mastermind behind the gang.
A special team from DB's Wari Division, with the help of intelligence surveillance and technological support, conducted the raid at a residential building in Turag. During the operation, authorities recovered five mobile phones, three blank cheques, and a torture belt.
The preliminary investigation suggests that the female members of the gang allegedly used fake identities on social media to establish romantic engagements with wealthy men, including middle-aged and elderly businessmen. These victims were then lured to apartments or hotel rooms, where they were allegedly held hostage, threatened, and subjected to physical abuse by the male gang members. The gang purportedly took compromising photographs and videos of the victims, later using them to extort money.
Despite receiving payments, the gang allegedly continued to blackmail the victims, demanding more money. The DB chief has urged the public to be cautious when interacting with strangers on social media and to report any fraud or blackmail incidents to the police.
The suspects reportedly evaded law enforcement by frequently changing their residences and hideouts, using SIM cards registered under false identities, and creating social media accounts with fictitious names. A regular case has been filed against the arrested individuals, and further legal proceedings are ongoing. Intelligence operations to combat such criminal activities will continue, According to DB chief.