bangladesh
Ponzi fraudulence: ringID director held in city
As financial scams keep unfolding in the country, members of Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Saiful Islam, director of ringID, a social media platform, from Gulshan in the capital on Friday on charge of misappropriating huge money.
The arrest followed a case filed by an aggrieved person against 25 people, including 10 named and 15 unnamed ones, with Bhatara police on September 30.
CID’s Cyber Police Centre started investigation into it.
During primary interrogation, Saiful admitted that his organization, the ringID, did not get any approval from the authorities concerned to collect deposits from users.
Read: E-commerce firms like Evaly, E-orange to face action: DMP
Though the ringID started its journey as a social media platform, it later started collecting deposits from people advertising various value-added services, including foreign investment, community jobs and other services in the social media platform.
The controversial social media platform allegedly embezzled over Tk 200 crore in just three months this year by alluring people in its investment (Ponzi) scheme promising online income.
Of the money, it received Tk23.94 crore in May, Tk109.13 crore in June and Tk79.38 crore in July from community job sector, according to a CID press release.
The CID has already requested the Bangladesh Bank to freeze all the bank accounts of the ringID so that it cannot launder the money, which was deposited by people.
Meanwhile, the CID got information that a number of cases were filed with different police stations against the ringID across the country.
CID is expected to interrogate Saiful bringing him under remand for gleaning information about the other people involved in it and how and where the money they keep.
Saiful was arrested at a time when the country’s e-commerce sector has been rattled by scams of different e-commerce platforms like E-valy, eorange and Dhamaka.
Evaly’s fraudulence
Evaly CEO Mohammad Rassel and his wife Shamima Nasrin were arrested after an aggrieved customer, Arif Baker, lodged a case with Gulshan police station accusing them and few other company executives of embezzlement and fraudulence.
Sub-inspector Ahidul Islam, the investigation officer of the case, said the case was registered over the allegation of embezzlement of money and fraudulence.
Besides, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), an arm of the Bangladesh Bank that specializes in financial crime investigations, directed all the commercial banks and financial institutions through a common letter on August 27 to freeze all the bank accounts operated by top executives of Evaly.
The Directorate of National Consumer Right Protection, a department under the Commerce Ministry, received allegations from consumers about “cheating” by Evaly.
Bangladesh Bank officials said one of the major allegations against Evaly is forcing its consumers to deposit their money in the e-wallet of the firm which was totally illegal.
Read: Evaly's liabilities over Tk 1,000 crore
E-orange
On September 2, a Dhaka court sent virtual outlet e-orange.shop owner Sonia Mehzabin, her husband Masukur Rahman and, Chief Operating Officer, Aman Ullah to jail in a fraud case filed over embezzlement of Tk 1,100 crore from consumers.
Earlier on August 23, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Morshed Al Mamun Bhuiyan placed the accused on a 5-day remand in the fraud case.
On August 17, the court sent them to jail rejecting their bail prayers when they surrendered to Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Abubakar Siddique's court.
On August 16, an aggrieved customer of E-Orange Md, Taherul Islam, filed a fraud case with Gulshan police in presence of 37 other customers who testified against the accused.
Woman arrested with crystal meth in Ctg
Police have arrested a young woman from a Dhaka-bound bus at Mirsharai in Chattogram on Friday night along with crystal methamphetamine or Ice.
The arrestee is Nusrat Fatema, 21, hailing from Manikganj district.
Tipped off, police searched a Dhaka bound Shyamoli Paribahan bus near Sonapahar area at Jorarganj union and recovered 95 gram of the drug wrapped in a polythene bag.
During primary interrogation, Fatema confessed to carrying the drugs, said Jorarganj police.
Sub-Inspector of Jorarganj police station Md Saiful Islam said the arrestee was taking the drugs to Dhaka.
A case was filed against Fatema under the Narcotics Control Act, said SI Saiful Islam.
Embarrassed by son’s ‘extramarital affair’, Sirajganj mother kills self
A woman at Binnabari village in Tarash upazila of Sirajganj has killed herself as her son reportedly eloped with neighbour’s wife.
Police said Firoza Khatun, 42, mother of Firoz Ahmed took her own life as newly married Firoz fled home a week ago with a neighbor's wife following an extramarital affair.
Unable to bear the shock, Firoza ,wife of Mominur Rahman, took pesticides on Friday. Her family members tried to take her to Natore Hospital but she died on the way.
Also read: Child denied bangles, ribbons for Eid ‘kills self’
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Tarash Police Station Mohammad Fazle Ashiq said Firoza married off her son Firoz with her brother's daughter two months ago but Feroz ran away with the neigbour’s wife.
Police sent the body to Sirajganj Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hospital for autopsy.
A UD case has been filed in this regard, the OC said.
Also read: Woman ‘kills self’ in Chattogram failing to pay loan installments
BGB seizes smuggled goods, drugs worth Tk 106.98 cr in Sept
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized various smuggled goods, arms and drugs worth Tk 106.98 crore in various drives across the country in September.
The seized drugs include 20,03,787 Yaba pills, 2.95 g crystal meth ice, 22,368 bottles of phensidyl, 15,684 bottles of foreign liquor, 2,938 cans of beer, 1,565 kg 965 g of cannabis, 9.15 kg of heroin, 13,099 injections, 7,496 Iskaf syrups, 125 bottles of Magdil/Cofidil, 49,675 Anegra/Senegra tablets and 1,75,102 other tablets.
Around 6.78 kg gold, 53.60 kg silver, cosmetics s, 4,842 sarees, 112 readymade garments, 3,378 Cubic feet of wood, 10,826 kg of tea leaves, 26,050 kg of coal, 5 trucks/covered vans, 10 private cars/ microbuses, 8 pickups, 60 CNG/battery run autorickshaws and 70 motorcycles were among the smuggled goods.
Also read: BGB seizes 2000g crystal meth in country’s biggest haul in Teknaf
The arms and ammunition recovered included three pistols, five different types of guns, five magazines and 12 rounds of bullet.
Besides, legal action has also been taken against 345 people for their involvement in smuggling. Some 221 Bangladeshis and nine Indians were arrested for illegal border crossing.
Also read: Benapole: BGB on high alert to prevent rawhide smuggling
Dhaka University’s ‘Kha’ unit admission test held
The admission test of Dhaka University's 'Kha' unit for 2020-21 academic session was held on Saturday in all eight divisions of the country.
The total number of seats in this unit is 2,378. However, a total of 47,639 applicants participated in the test.
This year, the DU entry tests are being held outside Dhaka as well as at the university for the first time considering the pandemic situation.
Also read: DU admission tests held for the first time in all divisional cities
Strict hygiene rules were maintained at all the venues of the divisional cities.
"The exam was held are in a peaceful environment," Dhaka University Proctor AKM Golam Rabbani told UNB.
DU Vice Chancellor Professor Akhtaruzzaman, pro VC (administration) prof Dr Samad, pro VC (administration) Prof Dr ASM Maksud Kamal visited the different exam centers in Dhaka.
The entry test of Dhaka University's 'Ka' unit was held on Friday peacefully in all eight divisions.
Also read: DU expels two students for digital and admission fraud
S Korea pledges more support to Bangladesh’s path towards brighter future: Envoy
South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun has said Korea, as a natural and trustful partner of Bangladesh, is committed to further contributing to Bangladesh’s path towards brighter future.
Ambassador Lee also drew attention that Korea and Bangladesh will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023 and hoped this to be a milestone year bringing the bilateral relations to a new height. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Dhaka will celebrate the Korean National Day virtually on October 3 due to the persisting corona pandemic.
Every year the Korean Embassy used to hold a grand in-person reception for the celebration of its National Foundation Day, Gaecheonjeol in Korean which literally means the day of sky opening.
This day is to mark the legendary formation of the first Korean state in 2333 B.C.
READ: S Korea donates Taekwondo equipment to Bangladesh Taekwondo Federation
The Korean Embassy has prepared a special website for the virtual celebration which includes congratulatory video messages of a multitude of dignitaries and friends of Korea from Bangladesh government, politics and business as well as diplomatic community in Bangladesh.
Among them are Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Parliamentarian Md. Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Archbishop George Kocherry, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Dhaka, Md. Atiqul Islam, Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, Chairman Sung Ki-hak of Youngone Corporation, representatives of international agencies such as IOM, UNICEF and UNDP, Prof. Tanweer Hasan, Vice Chancellor of IUB and Korean community in Bangladesh.
Also, students of Sarkari Shishu Paribar, EPS workers, K-pop lovers and members of Korean community in Bangladesh joined in the video celebration.
READ: Future of Bangladesh very bright for its young people: S Korean envoy
The video clips of the congratulatory messages can be found at the website: www.bd-korea.com
The Ambassador expressed sincere appreciation to all dignitaries and friends for joining the auspicious day especially by sending short video clips.
ULAB celebrates 17th Foundation Day
University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) celebrated its 17th Foundation Day on October 1, with a special online event.
British Deputy High Commissioner Javed Patel joined the virtual event as the chief guest, while ULAB's trustee MP Kazi Nabil Ahmed was the guest of honour.
Prof Imran Rahman, the special advisor to the university’s board of trustees, reflected on the journey of the varsity through which it has positioned itself among the best in Bangladesh, mentioning ULAB graduates are making their mark in the jobs market.
Deputy High Commissioner Patel congratulated ULAB for its 17 years of successful journey. Referring to the 50 years of partnership between Bangladesh and the UK, he emphasised the significant links between the two countries, particularly in the areas of education, economic growth and social development.
READ: ULAB organises week-long WURI ranking celebration
Patel also expressed his satisfaction over the way ULAB was offering quality education and adopted to the pandemic. Referring to the liberal arts ethos of the university, he emphasised the need for free thinking for lifelong learning.
Kazi Nabil, on his part, highlighted the contributions of the institution's founder Kazi Shahid Ahmed, who established the university as a place that would make a difference and develop young minds to their fullest potential.
In his concluding remarks, ULAB’s acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Shamsad Mortuza said, "The university has now come of age and wants to benchmark itself against international standards. Our next priorities will be internationalisation, and we are looking for meaningful partnerships with our international partners."
READ: ULAB's DIMFF places 28th in 2021 WURI Ranking
The University's new website was launched to celebrate the occasion.
Anchored by Nadia Rahman, the virtual event was also joined by ULAB’s treasurer Professor Dr Milan Kumar Bhattacharjee and Registrar Lt Col Md Foyzul Islam (retd).
26 ultra-low temp freezers 'boost Bangladesh's vax storage capacity'
Twenty-six ultra-low temperature freezers delivered by UNICEF through COVAX are enabling Bangladesh to receive, store and distribute large quantities of COVID-19 vaccines that require ultra-cold storage, according to the UN agency.
Each of the 26 freezers can hold over 300,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines, supporting administration of these jabs into districts beyond Dhaka.
In fact, the recent COVAX shipment of some 2.5 million US-donated doses of the Pfizer vaccine is made possible, thanks to this additional ultra-cold chain capacity.
“As more countries come forward through COVAX to ensure equitable access to the vaccines, increasing the ultra-cold chain capacity in receiving countries is of crucial importance,” said Tomoo Hozumi, UNICEF representative in Bangladesh.
“UNICEF, as an implementing partner of COVAX, will continue to support Bangladesh until the end of the pandemic. No one is safe until everyone is safe,” he added.
The delivery of 26 ultra-low temperature freezers to Bangladesh is part of UNICEF’s global target of delivering 350 ultra-low temperature freezers to more than 45 countries on behalf of COVAX.
READ: Dhaka to receive 7.90 lakh AstraZeneca vaccine doses Saturday
This is an immense and unprecedented undertaking to develop national cold-chain capacities in order to accelerate the number of fully vaccinated people in the shortest possible time.
As of today, only 9 percent of the population in Bangladesh has been fully vaccinated, according to UNICEF.
COVAX aims to ensure equitable access to vaccines and supplies, particularly to low and middle-income countries.
“WHO highly appreciates COVAX for extending its support to the Government of Bangladesh,” said Dr Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Country Representative.
“Ensuring global access to Covid-19 vaccines offers the best hope to slow down the pandemic, save lives and secure the world economic recovery. Each of these freezers will play a key role in improving the country’s ultra-low cold chain vaccine storage capacity. Ensuring that vaccines reach everybody, everywhere is the top priority and a critical step towards health for all. We cannot afford to leave anyone behind,” he added.
READ: Am I fully vaccinated without a COVID-19 vaccine booster?
Vaccines and supplies through the COVAX facility to low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh, are generously supported both by donor pledges and by direct donations.
UNICEF and WHO call on the continued and greater support to COVAX from donors and from countries that have already achieved high coverage.
Ex-DU prof dies as train rams car in Gazipur
A retired Dhaka University professor was killed while his wife and driver were injured when a train hit their car at an unmanned level crossing in Kaliganj upazila of Gazipur on Friday.
The deceased was identified as Abdur Rahim Khan, 72, a resident of NAM Garden Officers Quarters in Mirpur.
The accident occurred around 6pm when the car in which the three were travelling fell into a roadside ditch after being hit by the Chattogram-bound Subarna Express in the Nalchata area.
The impact of the collision was such that Abdur died on the spot.
READ: Dhaka-Chattogram rail services hit as freight train derails in Gazipur
His wife Diljuara Khanam (63) and their driver Soleman Mia, 32, of Barishal district, sustained injuries and were rushed to Kaliganj Upazila Health Complex, from where they were shifted to Dhaka for better treatment, said Pradeep Kumar Saha, sub-inspector at Kaliganj Police Station.
The former DU professor and his wife were heading towards Dhaka’s Mirpur in their private car from Tangail district when the accident occurred.
READ: 2 siblings killed as train hits auto-rickshaw in B’baria
His body has been sent to Narsingdi General Hospital morgue for an autopsy, the police officer said.
Momen vows to bring Mohib's killers to justice
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday vowed to bring the killers of Mohib Ullah to justice soon, in his first remarks since the Rohingya leader's murder sparked global condemnation.
Dr Momen said that a vested quarter killed Mohib as he wanted to return to Myanmar, his home country. "The government will take stern action against those who were involved in the killing. Nobody will be spared," he said.
On Thursday night, police registered a murder case in connection with the killing of Mohib Ullah at Ukhiya camp in Cox's Bazar on Wednesday night.
The FIR for murder was filed against unknown persons at the Ukhiya police station on a complaint from Mohib Ullah’s brother Habib Ullah, officer-in-charge Sanjur Morshed had said.
Read: Mohib's murder: FIR lodged, probe in full swing, say police
Unknown assailants gunned down the 44-year-old on Wednesday night. He was first rushed to a local medical facility and later shifted to Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Also read: Mohib's killing, Rohingya repatriation: Bachelet for redoubling global pressure on Myanmar
He was buried in Lambashia camp-1 in Ukhiya upazila on Thursday afternoon after his namaz-e-janaza, which was attended by a large number of Rohingya refugees from camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas.
Also read: Rohingya leader Mohibullah assassinated
Formerly a teacher in Myanmar, the slain human rights activist was popularly known as Master Mohib Ullah among the Rohingya refugees. He was the head of Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH) at Kutupalong camp.