Law enforcement agencies have detained 63 foreign nationals during a raid on an eight-story building in Chattogram’s West Khulshi, where an online scamming operation was allegedly being run.
The building, located in the Jalalabad Krishnachura residential area, was reportedly rented by the foreign nationals on 27 August, raising suspicions among some local residents about their activities.
The raid began around 3pm yesterday (10 September) and was still underway as of 11am today (11 September).
According to police, the detainees include 35 nationals from Laos, 21 from Pakistan, five from China, one from Nepal, and one from Vietnam. Among them are 41 men, 21 women, and a child.
Members of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) Cyber Security Team, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and RAB-7 are conducting the operation.
Khulshi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdur Rahim confirmed the raid and said it was launched based on confidential information.
During the operation, law enforcers seized 131 mobile phones, 56 laptops, US dollars, and other foreign currencies, as well as equipment allegedly used for online activities.
Officials are examining the data stored on the seized electronic devices to determine the nature of the activities being conducted from the building.
CMP Deputy Commissioner (Public Relations) Aminur Rashid told the Business Standard around 11am today that the operation was still underway.
“They are being questioned as necessary. CMP will hold a briefing on the matter around 3:30pm,” he said.
Police are also verifying the legal documents of the foreign nationals regarding their stay in Bangladesh.
Their online activities and data from the seized devices are being reviewed.
Two prison vans have been kept outside the building as the search operation continues with additional police and RAB-7 personnel.
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