2 arrested in Ctg over Tk7.5 lakh cyber theft targeting MFS trader

Police have arrested two members of an alleged organised cyber fraud ring for hacking the Gmail and banking information of a mobile financial service (MFS) trader and stealing around Tk7.5 lakh in Chattogram.

The arrests were disclosed by Chattogram Superintendent of Police Md Masud Alam at a press briefing held at the district police office this afternoon (5 June).

The suspects, identified as Md Iqbal and his associate Rubel, were arrested during separate drives.

Police recovered a laptop, four mobile phones, 18 bKash-registered SIM cards, cheque books from eight banks and three bank cards from their possession.

According to police, the victim, MFS trader Mohammad Jamal Uddin of Satkania upazila, noticed unusual activity on his mobile phone on 7 April before it suddenly shut down. After restarting the device, he found that his bKash, Nagad and banking apps had been deleted.

Soon afterwards, around Tk7.5 lakh was transferred from his UCB Bank accounts to various bank accounts and MFS numbers. He later filed a case with Satkania Police Station.

Md Masud said digital forensic analysis and intelligence-led investigations revealed that the fraudsters first gained control of victims’ Gmail and online accounts before accessing banking and MFS platforms.

Investigators also found that the stolen money was moved through multiple transactions and later invested in online gambling, cattle trading and other illegal activities. Operations are continuing to identify and arrest other members of the network.