Dhaka: Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has initiated steps to deport Nigerian citizen Frank Coco, who is currently detained, back to his homeland due to his alleged involvement with a cyber group that extorted money through fraudulent activities.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a letter was sent by RAB to the Special Branch (SB) on Wednesday, requesting the necessary actions to deport Frank Coco. Major Md Ahnaf of RAB-1 stated that the documents provided included case dockets and news links from English dailies that demonstrated Coco's involvement in criminal activities during his time in Bangladesh.
A RAB-1 team apprehended Frank Coco, aged 36, along with another Nigerian, Emanuwel, aged 35, and a Bangladeshi female, Sweety Akhter, aged 27, in separate operations carried out in the Pallabi and Mirpur areas of Dhaka on Monday and Tuesday. During the raids, authorities seized two laptops, four iPhones, three smart mobile phones, three button mobile phones, a tablet, and an Orico brand hard drive, all allegedly used in the fraudulent schemes.
RAB is still investigating the legal status of Emanuwel's entry into Bangladesh. Major Ahnaf mentioned that if Emanuwel is found to have entered the country illegally, he will be deported through legal channels. SB will verify whether Emanuwel entered with a tourist visa or otherwise before taking any further action.
Major Ahnaf also noted that Nigeria does not have an embassy in Bangladesh. Frank Coco reportedly entered Bangladesh on a tourist visa via India, where Nigeria maintains an embassy. During preliminary interrogations, the detainees admitted to their long-term involvement in fraudulent activities.
The two Nigerian suspects, Coco and Emanuwel, have been engaged in these illegal activities for almost two years, while their accomplice, Sweety Akhter, joined them three months ago. Coco had previously been arrested by RAB-10 two years ago but resumed his activities after being released on bail.
In the recent operation, RAB discovered approximately Tk 18 lakh in their Nagad and Bikash accounts. These accounts continue to receive deposits from previously sent fraudulent messages. Sweety Akhter played a role in contacting various Bangladeshi victims using numbers provided by a local coordinator, extorting money through deceitful means. The coordinator reportedly receives a 10%-15% share of the money obtained through these fraudulent activities.