Police have arrested a man accused of using the name, photograph and identity of Islamic speaker Maulana Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Madani to collect money from organisers of religious gatherings on the promise that he would arrange the cleric’s participation.
The arrested man has been identified as Mohammad Nuruzzaman, 31. Police said they believe he was the alleged ringleader of a fraud network that had been operating the scheme for nearly two years.
Nuruzzaman was arrested during a police operation in South Lohajuri village of Katiadi upazila in Kishoreganj early on Monday, 5 October.
According to police, investigators traced his location with the help of information technology while investigating a case filed at Purbadhala Police Station in Netrakona. Officers from Purbadhala Police Station, assisted by police from Katiadi Model Police Station, subsequently conducted a raid at the house of Nuruzzaman’s relative, identified as Kawsar, in South Lohajuri.
Police arrested Nuruzzaman from the house and seized two smartphones and six SIM cards belonging to different mobile network operators. Investigators suspect the devices and SIM cards were used in the alleged fraud.
According to the case statement and police sources, Nuruzzaman and his associates created fake Facebook, Imo and WhatsApp accounts using Madani’s photograph and personal identity. They allegedly used these accounts to approach organisers who were planning religious gatherings and seeking Madani as a speaker.
One Facebook account, operated under the name ‘Hafez Ayesha Jannat’, was allegedly used to claim that the account holder was Madani’s sister-in-law. Through this identity, the group allegedly established contact with organisers and discussed arrangements for religious programmes.
After negotiations, the suspects allegedly sought advance payments on the pretext of confirming the date of the programme and securing Madani’s attendance. The money was then allegedly taken without fulfilling the promised arrangement.
The alleged scheme came to light after Madani filed a case at Purbadhala Police Station. He is a resident of Letirakanda village in Ghagra Union of Purbadhala upazila.
Police said Nuruzzaman admitted his involvement in the alleged fraud during preliminary questioning. His alleged admission, however, will be assessed alongside other evidence collected during the investigation.
Police also said that three cases, including cases under the Digital Security Act and the Dowry Prohibition Act, are currently pending against Nuruzzaman.
Purbadhala Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun said Nuruzzaman was sent to court on Monday afternoon with a request for remand for further questioning.
Investigators are now trying to establish how extensive the alleged network was, identify other people who may have been involved and determine how much money was collected through the scheme. Police are also examining the seized phones and SIM cards as part of their efforts to trace possible links with other members of the group.
The case highlights the risks faced by religious programme organisers when arrangements are made through unofficial social media accounts or unverified intermediaries. In such cases, confirming the speaker’s participation directly through a trusted channel before making advance payments can help prevent fraudulent claims of this nature.
