Online Scam Ring Busted in Noakhali, Six Arrested for Motorcycle Fraud
Local police in Begumganj, Noakhali, have arrested six individuals accused of scamming buyers through online motorcycle sales advertisements. During the operation, authorities also recovered three stolen motorcycles.
According to the police, the fraudsters lured potential buyers by posting online advertisements for motorcycles at unusually low prices and then deceiving them into handing over money.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Md. Zakir Hossain alias Rakib (24), son of Md. Abdul Karim from Anantapur village; Md. Jahidul Islam Farhan (19), son of Din Islam from the same village; Kamrul Hasan alias Rahad (22), son of Abul Kashem from Kashim Contractor Bari in Eklampur; Md. Ripon (22), son of Md. Liton from Bhulua Colony in Sadar Upazila; Shamimur Rahman alias Shamim (22), son of Saheb Ullah from Bhuiyan Haji Bari in Nateshwar village, Sonaimuri; and Md. Faisal alias Bullet Babu (23), son of Sultan Ahmed from Alipur.
On Thursday, March 20, Begumganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Liton Dewan stated that the arrests were made during raids conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday night in multiple locations within the upazila.
“These suspects are part of a fraud gang that has been tricking buyers with online advertisements for cheap motorcycles and other items. They would lure victims, steal their money, and even sell stolen motorcycles. One victim, Shafik, filed a case against them, leading to their arrests. They will be sent to court and further investigation will determine whether others are involved in this scam,” said the OC.
Victim Deceived Through Facebook Advertisement
According to police sources, Md. Zakir Hossain posted an advertisement on a Facebook page named ‘Noakhali Bike Hut’, claiming to sell a motorcycle for only BDT 70,000. Seeing the offer, Shafikur Rahman (20) from Farhadnagar village in Feni Sadar Upazila contacted the seller via mobile and Messenger.
On Tuesday, March 18, Shafik, along with his friend Azizur Rahman Milon (20), traveled to Chowmuhani Municipality’s Ward No. 2 near the Globe Factory around 7 PM to inspect the motorcycle. The suspect Rakib (Zakir Hossain) met them at the location, showed them the motorcycle, and started negotiating the price.
Suddenly, five or six other accomplices, including Jahidul Islam Farhan, Ripon, Kamrul Hasan, Shamimur Rahman, and Faisal, ambushed them from behind, restrained them, and attacked them.
Victims Assaulted, Robbed, and Held Hostage
Police reported that the scammers slapped and beat the victims, stealing BDT 5,000 in cash and two mobile phones. When the fraudsters demanded the remaining money meant for the motorcycle purchase, the victims insisted they had brought no more cash, further enraging the assailants.
The suspects then abducted the victims and took them to a secluded location, where they continued to assault them. Nearby locals, noticing the commotion, rescued the victims and apprehended Zakir, handing him over to the police.
Following Zakir’s arrest, police conducted follow-up raids, leading to the capture of two more suspects from their homes and a motorcycle servicing center in Gabua Bazaar. Authorities seized three stolen motorcycles, including a Suzuki Gixxer, a Pulsar, and an Apache.
