The arrestees were identified as Omar Faruque, 30, Md Sabbir Hossain, 24, Md Al Amin, 27, Md Aminul Islam Amin, 25, and Md Monir Hossain, 29.
The arrestees used to deceive people, extort money from them and spread propaganda by creating fake profiles of the prime minister, her family members and other leaders, said Rab sources.
Based on secret information, a team of Rab-2 conducted drives in the city’s Moghbazar, Demra and Mohammadpur areas and Keraniganj and Savar on its outskirts from early Wednesday to Thursday and made the arrest.
Briefing reporters at the Rab’s Karwanbazar Media Centre on Thursday, Director (Legal and Media) of the Rab headquarters Mufti Mahmood Khan said the arrestees opened as many as 36 fake Facebook accounts in the names of Prime Minister, her family members and other distinguished persons.
Many tried to talk to the Prime Minister through phone numbers they provided in the fake accounts and the fraudsters used to misappropriate money from people after cheating them through various tricks, he said.
The elite force came to know about the activities of the arrestees through a press release issued by Awami League on January 11, the Rab official said.