Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) Cyber and Special Crime (South) Division has arrested five members of a gang accused of blackmailing a man after luring him into a romantic trap. The arrests were made during raids between Friday night and Saturday morning in Sabujbagh, Badda, and Khilgaon areas of the capital. The detainees are identified as Md. Anwar Hossain, Badiuzzaman Shahin, Morium, Shahadat Hossain, and Urmi Begum. Police recovered nine mobile phones, a walkie-talkie, and cash during the operation.

According to DB sources, the victim, a loan officer at a private financial institution, was deceived by a woman posing as a borrower. After gaining his trust, the gang took him to a flat in Khilgaon, assaulted him, and recorded an objectionable video. They then extorted Tk 1.1 lakh from his bank account and demanded Tk 3 lakh more, threatening to release the video online. The victim filed a case at Khilgaon Police Station on June 22.

Preliminary investigation revealed evidence of similar crimes involving multiple victims. Police said the suspects are in remand, and efforts continue to identify other members and victims of the gang.