Teen Sextortion Gang Busted in Natore Using IMO App
A teenage gang involved in cybercrime and blackmailing through the IMO messaging app was apprehended by a special army patrol unit in Lalpur, Natore. Acting on a tip-off, the team conducted a raid at around 5:00 AM on Wednesday, July 9, in the Bilmaria area of Lalpur upazila and detained 12 members of the gang. The detained individuals were later handed over to the local Lalpur police station.
The detainees are identified as Md. Riaz Ahmed, Md. Rabbi Hossain, Md. Abir Ali, Md. Panto, Murad, Kawsar, Russel, Sanjid, Md. Kawsar Munna, Momin, Md. Ridwan, and Sagar Ali, all hailing from Mohorkoya village under the upazila.
According to initial interrogation, the boys were part of an organized scam ring that exploited the IMO app to develop romantic relationships with both local and expatriate victims through voice and video communication. They would then record explicit videos and use them to extort money. The group also introduced themselves as a local teenage gang, attempting to assert influence in the area and lure others into drug abuse.
During the raid, the army team also searched their residences and recovered 16 Android smartphones, 12 button phones, 30 additional SIM cards, one locally made weapon, five yaba tablets, and a small quantity of cannabis.
Confirming the matter, Lalpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mominuzzaman stated, “They have been formally arrested and sent to jail under multiple cases.”
