DB arrests 2 conmen in M'singh

Two alleged fraudsters were arrested by detectives in Mymensingh city early yesterday on the charge of taking money from people in the name of giving jobs at court.

Jamalpur natives Shakil Ahmed, 30, and Josna Mia, 28, used to live in a rented house in the city, said police.

Shakil, with the help of Josna, spread news to their native areas in Jamalpur that the former is able to get people jobs at Mymensingh District and Sessions Judge Court, they said.

Talking to The Daily Star, Shah Kamal Akanda, officer-in-charge of detective branch (DB) of police in Mymensingh, said the duo managed to lure in 11 youths.

Shakil introduced himself to the job seekers as an employee of the judge court, said the OC.

To convince them, the duo took the eleven 'clients' to the gate of Supreme Court on January 27. At that time, they assured the job seekers of their appointment on “master roll” basis within the next seven days, said Kamal.

To further gain their trust, they used a microbus with a sticker of Mymensingh Judge Court during their journey to Dhaka, said the police officer.

As per the fraudsters' instructions, the youths gave a total of Tk 44.8 lakh to one of the duo's neighbours on January 30, said the OC.

To fox the jobseekers, the two also delivered “court uniforms” to the youths. But, when the youths pressed for their joining, Shakil and Josna started delaying on various excuses, fading the job seekers' hope.

The arrest was made after Kaida Azam, one of youths from Sarishabari in Jamalpur, informed the detectives of the possible scam on Thursday.

Police also seized fake stamps of different government officials, 12 appointment letters and ID cards from their possession.

Kaida Azam filed a case with Kotwali Police Station, accusing Shakil and Josna yesterday.

During interrogation, the arrestees confessed to the offence, said OC Shah Kamal Akanda.

Mymensingh court sent them to jail after they were produced before it with a seven-day remand prayer, he added.