In an extraordinary case of predatory fraud in Rajshahi’s Tanore Upazila, a 75-year-old man has reportedly been defrauded of nearly 700,000 BDT after being promised a marriage with a famous film actress. The victim, a vulnerable widower, fell prey to a sophisticated scam orchestrated by a local “matchmaker” who exploited the elder’s aspirations for a high-profile union.
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The Mechanism of the Fraud
The victim, Haji Dost Mohammad of Bilshahar village, lodged a formal criminal complaint on Friday, 23 January 2026, against 55-year-old Abdul Latif, colloquially known as Bhola. The accused allegedly initiated the scam eight months ago, convincing the septuagenarian that he had the “exclusive connections” necessary to arrange a marriage with a renowned silver-screen heroine.
Over the ensuing months, Bhola reportedly manipulated the victim into making a series of substantial payments. These were presented as “processing fees,” “gifts for the actress,” and “media management costs.” The financial drain was relentless, involving both physical cash handovers and a complex web of digital mobile banking transfers.
Fraud Investigation: Financial Fact Sheet
| Metric | Incident Details |
| Primary Victim | Haji Dost Mohammad (75) |
| Accused Fraudster | Abdul Latif alias Bhola (55) |
| Total Sum Extorted | 696,295 BDT |
| Fraudulent Narrative | Arranged marriage with a famous film star |
| Transaction Methods | Cash and bKash mobile banking |
| Status of Complaint | Filed at Tanore Police Station |
Emotional and Financial Ruin
The consequences for Haji Dost Mohammad have been catastrophic. Under immense pressure from his family after they discovered the missing funds, the elder finally realised he had been duped. “Bhola used every trick in the book to take 696,295 BDT from me,” a devastated Mohammad stated. “I am now penniless and facing total ruin. My only hope is that the authorities can recover my savings and punish the man who did this to me.”
The local community has reacted with outrage, with many residents calling for the immediate arrest of the alleged fraudster. The case has served as a grim reminder of how digital banking platforms can be weaponised in scams targeting the elderly.
Official Response and Denials
For his part, Abdul Latif Bhola has dismissed the allegations as a malicious conspiracy designed to frame him. He maintains his innocence, despite the detailed ledger of transactions provided by the victim to the authorities.
Mohammad Shahiduzzaman, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Tanore Police Station, confirmed that the matter is being taken seriously. “We have received the written complaint and will be conducting a meticulous investigation into these claims,” the OC remarked. “If the evidence confirms a fraudulent extortion of this magnitude, the accused will face the full weight of the law.”