Police say suspects targeted wealthy men through social media relationships.
TBS Report
25 October, 2026, 04:25 pm
Last modified: 25 October, 2026, 04:47 pm
The Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested five alleged members of a blackmail racket accused of luring men into homes or hotels through fake romantic relationships, recording compromising photos and videos, and extorting money by threatening to expose them.
The arrestees comprise three men and two women: Jit Bhakta, alias Abdul Rahman, 38; Pritam Biswas, alias Anik Sheikh, 30; Arthajit Bhakta, alias Siddhartha, 20; Sabrin Kabir Prema, alias Neha, 22; and Sadia Yasmin, alias Mahi, 21.
DB Chief and Additional Commissioner Md Shafiqul Islam disclosed the information at a briefing at the DMP Media Centre today (25 October).
He said Jit was the alleged ringleader, while Pritam was his nephew and Sabrin was Pritam's wife.
The arrests followed complaints from four victims, after which detectives had been working for an extended period to identify the group.
The suspects frequently changed their residences and hideouts and operated social media accounts using falsely registered SIM cards, making it difficult for investigators to trace them, Shafiqul Islam said.
Detectives eventually located them through surveillance and information technology and arrested the five from a residential building in the Turag area.
Police recovered five mobile phones, three blank cheques and a torture belt during the operation.
According to the DB chief, the female members used different identities and social media accounts to develop romantic relationships with middle-aged and elderly men, particularly businessmen and wealthy individuals.
They allegedly persuaded the targets to visit selected homes or hotels. Once the men arrived, the male members of the group allegedly held them hostage, threatened and physically assaulted them, and recorded compromising photos and videos involving the victims and the women.
The suspects then allegedly demanded large sums of money, threatening to publish the images and videos on social media or send them to the victims' relatives if they refused to pay.
Shafiqul Islam said the racket continued its demands even after receiving an initial payment, repeatedly threatening to expose the recorded material to extort more money from the victims.
The DB said a case had been filed against the five arrested individuals with Turag Police Station over the alleged offences.