Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) conducted separate drives in the capital and arrested 12 members of a honey trap gang, including two women

The arrestees were identified as Tuliya Akter alias Sumi, 20; Dulali alias Mim, 20; Md Omar Faruk, 32; Md Shafiqul Islam Shanto, 38; Md Sajal Talukder, 38; Yasin, 43; Md Nasir Khan, 46; Saddam, 34; Mehedi Hasan Shahriya, 30; Azizul Hakim Tutul, 32; Md Kamrul Islam, 38; and Md Rabbi, 25.

Deputy Commissioner (DC-Wari Division) of the DMP Mallik Ahsan Uddin Sami gave this information at a press conference organized at the DMP Media Center on Tuesday afternoon.

The DC (Wari Division) said, during investigation into two separate cases it was revealed that the arrestees were members of the same organised gang. Acting on intelligence and using technological support, several teams from Jatrabari and Demra police stations conducted joint drives simultaneously in different areas of the capital on February 15 and 16 and arrested the 12 accused.

Members of the gang abducted two persons from the Saidabad Janapad intersection and took them to a house on Matuyail Kabarstan Road under Jatrabari Police Station on January 11 around 5:20am last month. The victims were confined and assaulted, and objectionable photographs were taken with two unidentified women.

The gang then demanded Tk 10 lakh as ransom and threatened to circulate the photos among the victims’ relatives and on social media if the money was not paid. The accused also took Tk 48,000 in cash, a two-vori silver chain, a diamond ring, and withdrew a total of Tk 5,31,500 through bKash and debit cards from ATM booths before releasing the victims, the DC said.

A regular case was filed with Jatrabari Police Station on January 13 in this connection.

In another incident, a man became intimate with arrested Tuliya Akter Sumi through social media. At her request, he met her in front of Staff Quarter Hossain Plaza under Demra Police Station on December 15. As Tuliya proposed the man to visit her house, he agreed and went to her residence. After he reached there, he was assaulted by 6–7 unidentified persons who demanded Tk 8 lakh.

When he refused to pay, the gang threatened to kill him. Eventually, he gave them Tk 48,500 in cash, two one-vori gold rings, and Tk 4,46,500 sent by his family through bKash. He was later threatened again and forced out of the house.

Following a complaint filed by the victim, Mokhlesur, a case was lodged with Demra Police Station on January 13.

Preliminary investigation found that the gang used social media to develop relationships with targeted individuals and then lured them into traps to extort cash and valuables.

Police said efforts are underway to arrest other members of the gang and legal action against the detainees is in process.