The Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested 11 Nigerian nationals and one Bangladeshi on charges of embezzling money from people by promising to turn their Bangladesh Taka into US dollar.
They were apprehended in several operations conducted in different parts of Dhaka on Wednesday, the DMP said in a media briefing on Thursday.
The Nigerian arrestees have been identified as Henri Osita Okechukwu, Chisom Emmanuel Obiajulu, Okeke Peter, Obinna Sunday, Oneka Amba, Chisom Anthonoy Ekwenze, Okeyea Azubike, Anuyarah Ojuyemena Daniel, Anuruka Jinika Francis, Luke and Domado Chinedo, reports bdnews24.com.
Their Bangladeshi assistant has been identified as Chadni Akter, who used to help them as a fake customs official, concealing her real identity.
“The leaders of the fraud ring are Osita Okechukwu and Chisom Emmanuel. They used to maintain communication with their Bangladeshi accomplices and distribute the embezzled money among other members of the gang,” said AKM Hafiz Akter, an additional commissioner at DMP's Detective Branch.
“The other members of the gang swindled people out of huge amounts of money with promises of expensive gifts and investment after developing a virtual friendship with fake Facebook ID as an American or European citizen.”
A dollar ‘trick’ machine, 17 phones, two laptops, chemical bottles and copies of warrants in various cases have been seized from their possessions.
In addition to Chadni, several Bangladeshi citizens are involved with the gang, Hafiz said, adding that legal action has been taken against the gang members.
The law enforcers have launched a manhunt to trace out other criminals, he added.