Criminals graduating to cash deposit machines, fake telemedicine services: DB
Even the world of crime is witnessing innovations.
Criminals of different syndicates were recently found defrauding people through cash deposit machines (CDM) and telemedicine services, claim law enforcers.
For the CDM strategy, syndicate members first identify themselves as police or army officials and call traders to buy electronic products.
Once the price is fixed, they ask the traders for bank account numbers that have CDM facilities. Then they go to the CDM point and input the demanded amount on the machine, but only insert an empty envelope instead of the actual money, which the machine accepts.
Soon after, a text message is sent to the account holder's phone number confirming the transaction, when in reality, the money deposited is only accounted for after a bank official verifies the envelope's content.
After the text is sent, the syndicate informs the target that the money was deposited. Then it sends a ride-sharing delivery-man to collect the product.
The trader hands over the product upon receiving the notification on their phone. A day later, they come to know from bank officials that the envelope submitted was empty.
But by then it's just too late.
Cyber and Special Crime Division of police's detective branch (DB) disclosed the findings following the arrest of two people on Wednesday.
The arrestees are Jahid Hasan Rony (32), and his associate Umme Habiba (28). Beside CDM fraud, the arrestees also pocketed money by selling stolen products online, promising changing public exam results, and ensuring admission in government medical colleges, said Junaed Alam Sharker, additional deputy commissioner of DB.
Police detected them, after a victim filed a case with Tejgaon Police Station in February.
According to the complaint, Rony, identifying himself as a DB official, called a trader on February 22 and confirmed buying a camera for Tk 55,000.
Rony then claimed to have submitted the money in the trader's bank account through CDM.
The trader then said the money still had not been deposited, as the bank will verify it. But Rony said he is a DB official and they do not need to worry. The next day, the bank informed the victim that there was only Tk 1,000 inside the envelope deposited, and communication between the victim and Rony halted.
ADC Junaed said the duo has stolen huge sums of money through such fraud activities. Once after getting the products, Rony used to sell them again online. Seven separate cases were found to be filed against Rony with Paltan, Rampura, Tejgaon, New Market and Ramna police stations. Detectives said Rony has completed MBA and Habiba honours.
Meanwhile, a separate syndicate defrauds people by providing fake telemedicine service. Such services gained popularity during the pandemic. The criminals first give online advertisement of providing treatment for skin and sexual diseases. For the ads, they use identities of popular doctors.
When people communicate for treatment, the syndicate would inform them that the fee for physical visits is Tk 3,000 to 4,000, but for online consultation it is Tk 1,000. And every day, they used to get money from at least 30 to 40 people through mobile financial services.
Detectives claimed to have busted the syndicate following arrest of a couple from Rajshahi on Thursday. They are Rashed Hossain Pranto and Mowsumi Khatun. Police seized three phones and four SIM cards from their possession. The arrestees used to maintain 13 Facebook accounts and three WhatsApp IDs, said ADC Junaed.
Police said the syndicate used to take compromising photos of people during online consultations. Then the criminals blackmailed them for money, said detectives.