A conman’s career comes to an abrupt end
Lalu’s dubious career ended on Monday after the CID arrested him in Dhaka over swindling at least 2,000 people out of more than Tk3 crore
Aminul Islam Lalu used to introduce himself to his victims as an industrialist and claimed to own nine companies in Uttara, Dhaka.
The 42-year old man had also been advertising in various media to recruit people.
Impressing his victims with his non-existing companies, Lalu took more Tk3 crore from at least 2,000 people after assuring them employment in the air cargo section of Shahjalal International Airport, read a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) press release on Wednesday.
Lalu's dubious career, spanning five years, came to an abrupt end on Monday after the CID arrested him in Bashundhara Residential Area of the capital over swindling people out of their money.
Confirming the matter to The Business Standard on Wednesday, Assistant Superintendent of the CID Jisan Haque said, "Some of Lalu's victims have filed a case against him at the Dakshin Khan Police Station."
After learning about Lalu's arrest, hundreds of his victims gathered in front of the CID headquarters on Wednesday, seeking to get back the money they reportedly paid Lalu to get jobs.
Nur Hossen, who is one of his victims, said, "I paid Lalu Tk2.5 lakh two years ago after he promised me a job in the air cargo section of Shahjalal Airport. I have yet to get that job."
Not only Nur, but hundreds of other people were cheated by Lalu after they paid him between Tk20,000 and Tk500,000 in hopes of getting jobs.
Another victim, Shaheb Ali said, "I visited the office of NBG Air Cargo Ltd in Ashkona about a year ago. I found the office well decorated, and some youths were working there. After waiting for half an hour, I met Lalu."
"He told me to pay him Tk2.5 lakh and then he would get me a job as a checker at the Dhaka airport. I gave him Tk2.3 lakh. But he neither gave me a job, nor returned the money," he added.
According to the CID press release, Lalu opened nine fake companies to defraud people.
The companies are: NBG Air Cargo Ltd, North Bangla Outsourcing Ltd, Bogura Developer and Construction Ltd, Bogura Trading company Ltd, Hazrat Shah Ali Bagdadi (R) Enterprise, North Bangla Bazar BD Ltd, Muzessum Corporation, NBO Security service Ltd, and Goribe Newaz Enterprise.
CID officials also told The Business Standard that hundreds of Lalu's victims have contacted the investigators seeking exemplary punishment for Lalu and a way to recover their lost money.