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CID Dismantle Syndicate Behind Fraudulent Website Clones
In a decisive strike against cyber-financial crime, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has apprehended two young masterminds accused of orchestrating an international investment scam. The syndicate allegedly siphoned millions from unsuspecting citizens by “cloning” the digital presence of legitimate foreign enterprises.
A Sophisticated Digital Ruse
The arrests took place on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, in the Jamalpur Sadar area. Following a tactical raid on Station Road, officers first detained Touhid Bhuiyan (21). His interrogation led investigators directly to the operation’s alleged kingpin, Hridoy Hasan (21), who was apprehended later that same day.
According to a formal communiqué from Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan, the duo targeted victims by meticulously replicating the website of the Netherlands-based firm, ‘Withlocals’. By mirroring the design, aesthetics, and user interface of the genuine Dutch company, the fraudsters convinced investors they were engaging with a reputable European entity.
Operating under the guise of “international investment consultants,” the suspects lured individuals with promises of rapid, high-yield dividends. One victim, who filed a case at Paltan Police Station, reportedly lost 2.5 million Taka after being groomed through a dedicated Telegram group.
Forensic Findings and Crypto-Laundering
Digital forensic analysis of the seized smartphones and hardware revealed a complex financial network. Hridoy Hasan reportedly managed approximately 30 separate bank accounts registered under fictitious names. Furthermore, the CID uncovered a sophisticated laundering mechanism involving cryptocurrency.
Table: Evidence and Digital Assets Recovered
| Asset Category | Details |
| Messaging Infrastructure | 15 Telegram accounts managed via QR codes |
| Banking Network | 30 illicitly controlled bank accounts |
| Crypto-Currency Tools | 2 Binance accounts registered to third parties |
| MFS Integration | Binance wallets linked to bKash and Nagad |
| Primary Target | Cloned ‘Withlocals’ (Netherlands) portal |
The investigation found that while the Binance accounts used for the scam were registered under third-party aliases, they were directly linked to the suspects’ personal Mobile Financial Services (MFS) accounts, such as bKash and Nagad. This allowed them to instantly convert scammed capital or “crypto-booty” into liquid cash.
Judicial Proceedings
The CID has presented the suspects before the court, requesting a 10-day remand to facilitate a more comprehensive interrogation. Authorities are currently working to identify the total number of victims and locate other members of the syndicate who may be facilitating the technical architecture of these cloned sites from remote locations.
The CID has issued a public advisory, urging potential investors to meticulously verify URLs and avoid investment schemes promoted exclusively through encrypted messaging apps like Telegram.