Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Cyber Unit has arrested eight members of an online fraud ring, including five Chinese nationals, during a weeklong operation in the city’s Bashundhara and Uttara areas. The arrests were announced on Tuesday at a press briefing at the DMP Media Center by DC (Cyber North) Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabdar. Police seized over 51,000 SIM cards, several VOIP gateway devices, mobile phones, laptops, and other digital equipment used in cybercrime.

According to the DMP, the suspects used Telegram, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms to lure victims with fake job offers, investment schemes, and low-cost product advertisements. The money collected from victims was allegedly converted into cryptocurrency and transferred abroad through VOIP gateway machines. The arrested individuals include Chen Ling Feng, Zeng Kong, Zeng Changqiang, Wen Jian Qiu, Huang Zheng Jiang, Md Zakaria, Niaz Masum, and Kamrul Hasan alias Hasan Joy.

Police said the passports and visa status of the Chinese nationals are being verified, and digital devices seized from them contained Chinese software applications. Legal proceedings are underway against all detainees.