The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a man for allegedly embezzling money by impersonating a judge and using an artificially generated version of his voice to deceive victims.

The arrestee was identified as Md Mehedi Hasan Mim, 27, son of Mohammad Abdul of Ramaigachi village in Natore district, said Jasim Uddin Khan, Special Police Superintendent (Media) of the CID.

A team from the Cyber Investigation and Operations unit of the Cyber Police Center (CPC) arrested him from his residence in Natore on Wednesday night.

According to the case statement, the complainant was serving as a Joint District and Sessions Judge when the incident took place. An unidentified fraudster allegedly used the judge’s name, identity and designation to spread false and misleading information among his friends, colleagues and relatives in an attempt to extort money.

The accused allegedly used artificial intelligence technology to imitate the judge’s voice and contacted several people known to him, claiming that his mother had died at a hospital in Dhaka and that he urgently needed money to cover hospital and ambulance expenses.

Believing the story to be genuine, one victim transferred Tk50,000 to the fraudsters through a mobile financial service (MFS). Similar attempts were also made to collect money from several other friends, colleagues and acquaintances of the judge through calls and messages.

After learning about the incident, the judge filed a case with Sherpur Sadar Police Station.

During initial interrogation, the accused reportedly admitted his involvement in the incident and provided important information related to the case, the CID said.

He has been produced before the concerned court for further legal proceedings.

The CID urged the public to remain vigilant against such scams and to verify information before making any financial transactions.