In Kishoreganj, Nilphamari, the Detective Branch (DB) of police apprehended a notorious fraudster, Mamizul Islam, 30, on Friday afternoon (13 March) in connection with the possession of counterfeit foreign currency. During the arrest, authorities recovered Malaysian Ringgit, Saudi Riyals, Thai Baht, and several forged passports from his possession.
According to Acting Officer-in-Charge of the DB, Md. Motlubur Rahman, Mamizul Islam is the son of Nur Hossain of Nitaikuthialpara in Kishoreganj. Following a tip-off, the DB conducted a raid at his residence in Madhupur Fulbari village of Nita Union on Thursday midnight. The operation uncovered a substantial cache of counterfeit notes and fraudulent documents, indicating an organised network of financial deception.
The quantities of counterfeit currency and forged passports recovered are detailed below:
| Country / Currency | Denomination | Number of Notes / Items |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia – Ringgit | 100 | 580 |
| Saudi Arabia – Riyal | 100 | 90 |
| Saudi Arabia – Riyal | 500 | 190 |
| Thailand – Baht | 1,000 | 190 |
| Thailand – Baht | 500 | 290 |
| Various Countries | Fake Passports | 6 |
| – | Mobile Phone | 1 |
Acting OC Motlubur Rahman stated, “Mamizul and his associates were printing counterfeit currency and using it to commit visa fraud, particularly timed around the Eid festivities. Acting on intelligence, our team conducted a raid and seized numerous counterfeit notes and fake passports from multiple countries.”
Following his arrest, a case was filed against Mamizul under the Special Powers Act, and he was sent to jail after appearing before the local court. The DB police have issued a stern warning to the public, urging everyone to refrain from possessing foreign currency or passports from illegitimate sources, emphasising that stringent legal action will be taken against offenders.
The operation has served as a cautionary message to local residents. It is believed that Mamizul and his accomplices had been engaged in visa scams and the circulation of counterfeit foreign currency for a prolonged period. This raid has effectively dismantled their fraudulent network.
Law enforcement officials have also noted a rise in incidents involving fake foreign currency and passports across the country in recent months, particularly during major holidays such as Eid, and continue to urge vigilance among the public.