Transnational gang behind trafficking young Bangladeshi TikTok users, says police
A transnational gang involving some Bangladeshis is behind trafficking young girls using Tiktok and forcing them into prostitution in India, police said.
"School, college students and sometimes young housewives are their targets," Md Shahidullah, deputy commissioner of (Tejgaon Division) Dhaka Metropolitan Police, said.
The gang first adds their targets to specific Facebook group of TikTok users and later traffic them to India in the name of providing well-paid jobs there, he told reporters at his office.
Police came to know about the trafficking while investigating a case filed following rape and torture of a young Bangladeshi woman in India.
Police in the Indian city of Bengaluru said they arrested at least five Bangladeshis -- four men and a woman -- over the incident.
"Some criminals from the southwestern region of Bangladesh and several Indian states are involved in the gang. Its network is stretched out to Dubai, UAE and some other countries in the Middle East," the DC said.
He said the gang members first take the girls to India though illegal ways. During their stay in India, the victims aretortured, sexually assaulted -- photographed and recorded by the culprits.
They were later forced into prostitution, he said.
The gang members blackmail the victims, threatening to send the photos and videos to their families or leak those on social media, in case the victims try to escape.
Police officials said around 700 TikTok users recently took part in a social event last year, organised by "TikTok Babu" -- one of those arrested in India --in the suburbs of Dhaka city.
Police are investigating those involved in the crime and trying to bring back those arrested in India.
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