The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have apprehended Rashedul Islam Rabbi, 30, identified as the mastermind behind a predatory criminal cycle involving the deception, sexual assault, and digital exploitation of young women. According to official police reports, Rabbi utilised social media platforms to entrap at least 13 school and college students over the past two months.
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Investigative Findings and Arrest
The investigation into Rabbi’s activities commenced following a General Diary (GD) filed by a victim on 9 March. The Wari Division of the DMP, with significant support from the Mirpur Model Police Station, led the operation. On Wednesday, 15 April, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mallick Ahsan Uddin Sami of the Wari Division detailed the suspect’s elaborate methods during a formal press briefing.
While ten victims have been officially identified thus far, the suspect confessed during interrogation to assaulting 13 women using identical tactics. It was further revealed that Rabbi has a prior criminal record at the Kadamtali Police Station and reportedly married his current wife through similar deceptive means.
Modus Operandi: Digital Deception
The suspect’s method involved a sophisticated multi-stage deception. He would initially create fraudulent social media profiles, often posing as a woman, to establish rapport with his targets. Once a level of trust was established, he would inform the victims that a gift had been sent to them by a boyfriend or an acquaintance.
Rabbi would then request the victims to meet at specific locations to collect these gifts, frequently choosing the areas surrounding metro stations, such as the Secretariat Metro Station. When the victims arrived, Rabbi would contact them via telephone, claiming he was unwell and unable to attend. He would state that his “cousin” would meet them instead; in reality, Rabbi would then appear in person, masquerading as that relative.
Abduction and Exploitation
Upon meeting the victims, the suspect would use various pretexts, such as offering directions, to lure them into a CNG-powered autorickshaw. He then transported them to two secret hideouts located near Dania College in the Jatrabari area. It was at these locations that the assaults took place.
Following the physical assaults, Rabbi would forcibly seize the victims’ mobile phones. Before disposing of the devices, he would take control of their social media accounts. These hijacked accounts were subsequently used to target and entrap new victims, creating a self-sustaining cycle of criminal activity.
Summary of Case Details
| Category | Information |
| Suspect Name | Rashedul Islam Rabbi (30) |
| Total Confessed Victims | 13 (primarily students) |
| Identified Victims | 10 |
| Primary Target Area | Mirpur (residential origin of victims) |
| Abduction Hubs | Secretariat Metro Station area |
| Crime Locations | Two secret residences near Dania College, Jatrabari |
| Legal Status | 3 regular cases and several General Diaries (GDs) |
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
DC Mallick Ahsan Uddin Sami confirmed that the suspect is currently in custody and faces three regular criminal cases in addition to several registered complaints. The police have expressed concern that the actual number of victims may be higher, as many individuals may refrain from coming forward due to social stigma. Authorities are currently investigating whether Rabbi operated with accomplices or was part of a larger organised syndicate.