Dhaka Railway Police have arrested a suspected member of an organised fraud network operating around the capital’s railway station area, following a targeted operation conducted on Sunday (12 April). The accused, Md. Ataur Rahman alias Merajul, aged 27, hails from Uttar Domghata village under Dhobaura upazila in Mymensingh district.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that the arrest was made in the vicinity of Dhaka Railway Station after weeks of surveillance and intelligence-led monitoring linked to a series of mobile financial service frauds, particularly involving transactions through bKash.
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Sophisticated deception targeting unsuspecting families
According to preliminary findings, the accused had allegedly been engaged in a sustained campaign of deception designed to exploit emotional vulnerability among passengers and their families. Police said he frequently targeted minors, newly arrived travellers, and individuals unfamiliar with the capital’s busy transport environment.
Investigators believe the suspect would loiter around railway platforms, identify potential victims, and discreetly obtain contact details of their family members. He would then initiate fraudulent phone calls, falsely claiming that a close relative had been seriously injured in a road accident and urgently required hospital treatment.
Under intense emotional pressure, families were allegedly persuaded to transfer money immediately via mobile financial services, primarily bKash, under the impression that the funds were needed for emergency medical care. Authorities have described the method as a calculated form of psychological manipulation exploiting fear and urgency.
Confirmed fraud case of Tk 13,000
Police have confirmed at least one documented incident involving a family from the Pagla police station area in Mymensingh. In this case, a teenager identified as Md. Shamim Osman and his family reportedly transferred approximately Tk 13,000 after receiving a distress call claiming a medical emergency involving a close relative.
Officials suspect that this may be only one of several similar incidents, and are currently investigating whether additional victims have been targeted using the same modus operandi.
Confession and background of the accused
During interrogation, Md. Ataur Rahman reportedly admitted to his involvement in the fraudulent activities. He told investigators that he had developed an addiction to online gambling, which led him into financial hardship and debt. Unable to sustain himself, he left his home and began staying around railway stations, where he allegedly became involved in scam operations as a means of survival.
Police sources said his statement is being verified as part of a broader investigation aimed at identifying possible accomplices and tracing the movement of illegally obtained funds.
Case overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name of accused | Md. Ataur Rahman (alias Merajul) |
| Age | 27 years |
| Home district | Mymensingh (Dhobaura Upazila) |
| Arrest location | Dhaka Railway Station area |
| Alleged method | Fake accident and hospital emergency calls |
| Confirmed fraud amount | Tk 13,000 |
| Investigating authority | Dhaka Railway Police |
Police warning and preventive measures
Dhaka Railway Police have confirmed that legal proceedings against the accused are underway. Officials also stated that special drives will continue to identify and dismantle similar fraud networks operating around major transport hubs.
In an advisory to the public, law enforcement authorities urged citizens to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls requesting urgent financial assistance. They advised verifying any such claims directly with family members or through trusted contacts before transferring money via mobile financial services.
Police further stressed that suspicious behaviour, particularly in and around railway stations, should be immediately reported to nearby law enforcement personnel to prevent further incidents.
The case underscores the increasing prevalence of mobile financial service fraud in public spaces, prompting authorities to strengthen surveillance, intelligence operations, and public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing such opportunistic crimes.