Bangladesh’s Detective Branch Cyber and Special Crime (North) unit arrested Mariful Islam, 21, and Hasinur, 28, also known as “Baccha Bau,” over allegations that they used fake visa verification websites to defraud people seeking overseas jobs. DMP Media Division Additional Deputy Commissioner Niaz Mehdi disclosed details of the operation on July 31. Investigators arrested the two on July 28 in a secluded area under Kishoreganj police station in Nilphamari district, following a case filed at Pallabi police station.

According to police, the group created a false visa verification website modeled on an Australian government site. When victims entered passport numbers, the site displayed “visa approved.” The suspects allegedly used fake work permits and visa approval letters to gain the trust of job seekers. They also showed false copies of Canada’s Labour Market Impact Assessment, which the report notes is not a visa or permission to enter Canada.

One complainant, Chayedul Haque, said he paid about Tk480,000 through bKash and Rocket for medical, visa processing and document charges. Police said the group allegedly took crores of taka from more than 72 people. Officers seized a laptop, seven smartphones, 13 fake SIM cards and nine forged Bangladeshi passports.