The Dhaka Railway Police have apprehended a key suspect involved in a sophisticated digital fraud operation targeting desperate rail commuters. This arrest follows an intensified crackdown on the growing black market for train tickets and the proliferation of counterfeit travel documents sold via social media platforms.
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The Anatomy of the Scam
The investigation was triggered by a complaint from Sukanta Kumar Kundu, a 43-year-old manager at Eastern Bank’s Kalyanpur branch. On 18 March, Mr Kundu attempted to secure tickets for a journey from Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka scheduled for 28 March using the official “Rail Sheba” mobile application. Despite his efforts, the high demand rendered both the app and the physical counters at Kamalapur Railway Station ineffective for his needs.
Faced with a logistical impasse, Mr Kundu turned to a Facebook community titled “Train Ticket Buy-Sell Trusted Group.” It was here that he encountered the suspect, Mohammad Naushad Jahed (also known as Nayon), aged 37. Exploiting the victim’s urgency, Jahed promised to provide three tickets in exchange for 6,700 BDT, a transaction completed via the mobile financial service, bKash.
Discovery and Enforcement
The deception came to light on 28 March at approximately 12:30 PM. While travelling on the train from Cox’s Bazar, Mr Kundu presented his digital tickets to the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE). Upon verification, the official identified the documents as sophisticated forgeries, lacking any valid entry in the railway’s central database.
Following a formal complaint lodged at the Dhaka Railway Police Station, intelligence units tracked the suspect’s movements. On Monday morning at 10:15 AM, a tactical team conducted a raid near the parking area of Ticket Counter No. 1 at Kamalapur Railway Station, successfully apprehending Jahed.
Case Profile: Incident and Arrest Details
| Feature | Details |
| Primary Suspect | Mohammad Naushad Jahed alias Nayon (37) |
| Victim | Sukanta Kumar Kundu (Bank Manager) |
| Transaction Method | bKash (Mobile Financial Service) |
| Scam Platform | Facebook “Trusted” Groups |
| Financial Loss | 6,700 BDT |
| Operational Route | Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka |
| Legal Charges | Fraud and Counterfeiting (Railway Act) |
A Warning to the Public
Masuk Mia, the Additional Superintendent of Police for Dhaka Railway District, issued a stern warning regarding the incident. He reiterated the government’s policy: “The ticket belongs to the person who travels.” This mandate is designed to curb the influence of middlemen (brokers) and ensure that tickets remain accessible to the general public at regulated prices.
“Purchasing tickets through unauthorised third parties or social media intermediaries is not only a financial risk but a punishable offence,” the Superintendent remarked. He further clarified that travelling with a ticket issued in someone else’s name or using forged documents could lead to immediate detention and legal prosecution.
The authorities are currently investigating the broader network associated with Jahed, as preliminary evidence suggests he did not act alone. Commuters are strongly advised to use only the official Bangladesh Railway website or the “Rail Sheba” app to avoid falling prey to such criminal syndicates. The arrested suspect has since been produced before the court to face formal charges.