Man arrested over Tk 17 lakh swindled in fake insurance scam

In a cunning scam involving the lure of a fictitious $5 million life insurance payout, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) arrested an imposter who swindled over Tk17 lakh from a victim. 

The New Market police station apprehended the suspect, Md Aziz Molla, for orchestrating the elaborate scheme.

According to the complaint filed by the victim, Md Nuruzzaman, the fraud began on 29 September 2024, when he was contacted via Facebook by someone using the name "Anna Harrison." This individual directed him to a WhatsApp number, where the scam unfolded. The fraudster convinced Nuruzzaman that a Bangladeshi-origin man named Mohammad Belton had died while working in the United States, leaving behind $5 million in a US bank account.

The scammer instructed Nuruzzaman to pose as the deceased's relative to claim the life insurance payout. Nuruzzaman was also provided with another WhatsApp number, supposedly belonging to the bank's manager, and was asked to send a prepared message. 

The fraud continued when "Anna Harrison" gave Nuruzzaman the contact details of a supposed legal advisor who demanded $76,000 in fees to process the insurance claim. Harrison even sent a fake payment slip to make the transaction seem legitimate.

The fraud escalated further when Nuruzzaman was told that the bank had transferred the $5 million to Bangladesh, packed into two suitcases, and provided a video as "proof." 

To release the funds, Nuruzzaman was asked to pay Tk185,000 to cover insurance and delivery fees, which he deposited into an account as instructed.

On 3 October, Nuruzzaman received a call from an individual claiming to be a customs official at Dhaka airport. The caller informed him that the suitcases were being held by customs and demanded Tk407,000 for their release, which Nuruzzaman promptly paid. He was later asked to pay an additional Tk11.75 lakh for taxes and customs duties, which he again transferred to another account. Despite paying these amounts, the fraudsters continued to demand more money, requesting an additional Tk10.5 lakh. This raised suspicions, leading Nuruzzaman to contact the actual airport customs office, where he learned the entire operation was a scam.

In total, Nuruzzaman was defrauded of Tk17.7 lakh. 

After realising the deception, he filed a case with New Market police station on 12 October 2024, against several unidentified individuals.

Through digital forensics and assistance from Khilgaon police, law enforcement tracked down and arrested Md Aziz Molla from a model agency office in Dhaka's Banasree area on 13 October. 

Police seized nine checkbooks from different banks, three ATM cards, two Visa cards, and two mobile phones used in the fraudulent activities.

During preliminary interrogation, Aziz Molla confessed to his involvement in the scam. Police are continuing their investigation and working to apprehend other members of the organised fraud ring.