Fraud via Azhari’s Fake Videos; Two Accused on Remand

A Dhaka court has placed two young men on a two-day remand in connection with a case involving allegations of fraud through deepfake videos featuring Islamic speaker Mizanur Rahman Azhari. The accused are alleged to have used artificial intelligence technology to fabricate videos and promote sexual stimulant products under false pretences.

On Tuesday, the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Aulad Hossain Mohammad Jonaider, issued the order after hearing a petition submitted by the investigating officer. The remanded accused are Md Sarafat Hossain (24) and Md Shafayet Hossain Shuvo (21).

In the same case, the investigating officer, Sub-Inspector Samim Hossain of Paltan Police Station, had sought a 10-day remand for all 10 arrested individuals. During the hearing, defence lawyers appealed for the cancellation of remand and for bail. Following the proceedings, the court granted a two-day remand for two accused while rejecting the remand and bail petitions of the remaining eight, ordering them to be sent to prison.

The eight accused sent to custody are Shahadat Taufiq (21), Md Imam Hossain Bijoy (21), Md Rafiqul Hasan (21), Minhajur Rahman Shahed (19), Toki Tajwar Ilham (21), Omid Hasan (21), Md Abdullah Fahim (21), and Md Imran (24).

The case was filed on 23 April by a complainant named Bilal Hossain at Paltan Model Police Station under the Cyber Security Ordinance. Following the filing of the case, a joint operation by Dhaka Metropolitan Police and Chattogram Metropolitan Police led to the arrest of the accused from a rented flat in the Bayezid Bostami area of Chattogram. On 25 April, they were produced before the court, which ordered them to be sent to jail pending further proceedings.

According to the case documents, the accused individuals, although originating from different districts of the country, allegedly operated as a coordinated group from a rented flat in Chattogram. They are accused of using artificial intelligence-based deepfake technology to replicate the image and voice of Mizanur Rahman Azhari in fabricated video content.

These videos were allegedly used to promote a sexual stimulant product. The investigation further alleges that the group operated at least 24 fake Facebook pages and multiple websites to circulate the manipulated content. Orders were then reportedly fulfilled through a cash-on-delivery system, enabling the collection of money from unsuspecting consumers.

The court proceedings and subsequent remand orders are summarised below:

The case remains under investigation, with the accused currently in judicial custody or under remand as directed by the court.