Bangladesh Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a man for allegedly impersonating a manager of the auction department at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) and defrauding a victim of nearly Tk 3.1 million by promising expensive electronic products at heavily discounted prices.

The CID said the suspect lured the victim with offers to supply iPhones, Samsung smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices allegedly available through airport auctions at prices far below market value.

The information was disclosed in a press release signed by CID Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan on Tuesday.

The arrested suspect has been identified as Md. Ibrahim Hossain, also known as Robin Sikder, 28, a resident of Demra in Dhaka.

According to the CID, he was arrested shortly after midnight on July 6 during raids in several areas under Badda and Vatara police stations of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP). He was eventually apprehended from the Commissioner Goli area of North Badda.

According to the case statement, the victim works for a private life insurance company in Dhaka. Members of the fraud ring initially contacted him via WhatsApp, introducing themselves as officials of the airport's auction department and later claiming to be its operations managers to gain his trust.

During their conversations, they claimed that seized or unused iPhones, Samsung smartphones, laptops and other valuable electronic goods from airport auctions would be sold at prices significantly lower than the market rate. They also told the victim that around 50 officials and employees under their supervision were interested in purchasing life insurance policies, further strengthening the victim's confidence in them.

The fraudsters later proposed that the victim invest in the electronics business. To convince him of the legitimacy of the operation, they provided forged approval letters and fabricated documents bearing the names of various government agencies, including fake documents purportedly issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), as well as forged police clearance certificates.

Believing the documents to be genuine, the victim agreed to invest. The suspects then claimed they would supply 110 iPhones, 70 Samsung smartphones and 543 laptops, and instructed the victim to transfer money in several installments.

According to the CID, the victim transferred approximately Tk 3.087 million through two bank accounts and three mobile financial service accounts. After receiving the money, the suspects failed to deliver any products, repeatedly offered excuses and eventually cut off all communication. The victim later filed a case with Paltan Police Station under the DMP.

The CID's Cyber Police Center subsequently took over the investigation. Through technical analysis, intelligence gathering and digital forensic investigation, officers found evidence linking Ibrahim Hossain to the alleged fraud.

During the arrest, law enforcement officers seized five mobile phones, including an iPhone believed to have been used in the crime, along with seven SIM cards.

The CID said preliminary findings indicate that the organized fraud ring routinely used the names of government agencies, fake identities and forged documents to gain public trust before deceiving individuals and businesses with false promises of low-cost electronic products from airport auctions.

The press release also noted that Ibrahim Hossain is already a charge-sheeted accused in a digital fraud case filed with Vatara Police Station, which is currently under trial. The CID said it is also verifying whether he is involved in any other criminal cases or complaints.