FBI Files Fraud Charges Against Bangladeshi Man Over Fake US ID Templates
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has uncovered an organised forgery network involving counterfeit digital templates of sensitive US documents, including passports and Social Security cards, and has filed formal charges against a Bangladeshi national in connection with the case.
According to US authorities, the Montana District Court has brought charges against Zahid Hasan (29). The development was confirmed by Kurt Alme, US Attorney for the District of Montana.
In a statement issued on Sunday, 21 December, the FBI said the accused allegedly created an illegal online marketplace where high-quality digital templates of US identification documents were sold, enabling buyers to produce forged IDs.
Court documents allege that between 2021 and 2025, Hasan operated multiple online businesses from Bangladesh—namely “TechTreek” and “EGiftCardStoreBD”—through which he sold and transferred fake digital copies of government-issued identity documents from the United States and other countries. Prosecutors claim these documents were used for fraud across banking systems, online payment processors, social media platforms, and cryptocurrency services.
Hasan faces charges related to the transfer of six counterfeit identification documents, the use of two fake passports, and one count of Social Security fraud. If convicted on counts one through eight, he could face up to 15 years in prison per count. The ninth count, related to Social Security fraud, carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment. Each count also allows for fines of up to $250,000 and up to three years of supervised release.
Investigators allege that customers paid for the templates using cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. Listed prices reportedly included around $12 for a US passport template, $9.37 for a Social Security card, and $14.05 for a Montana driver’s licence. Over four years, TechTreek allegedly received more than $2.9 million from over 1,400 customers worldwide.
The indictment further states that on 13 May 2025, after receiving Bitcoin from a resident of Bozeman, Montana, Hasan transferred—or attempted to transfer—fake templates of a US passport, Social Security card, and Montana driver’s licence.
As part of the investigation, US authorities have seized three domains allegedly operated by Hasan: www.techtreek.com, www.egiftcardstorebd.com, and www.idtempl.com. Seizure notices are now displayed on the websites, bearing the logos of the FBI, the US Department of Justice, and Bangladesh’s Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit. The action was taken under a legal warrant issued by the Montana District Court pursuant to Title 18 of the US Code.
Law enforcement officials said efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the accused.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant US Attorney Benjamin Hargrove. The investigation involved coordinated efforts by the FBI’s Billings Division, the Salt Lake City Cyber Task Force, the FBI’s International Operations Division, and the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit.
Experts describe the operation as a milestone in joint Bangladesh–US efforts to combat transnational cybercrime and digital forgery that threaten global security.
Authorities stressed that the allegations outlined in the indictment remain unproven, and under the law, the accused is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty by a court.
DBTech/FBO/MUM/OR
