Detectives in Rangpur arrested four members of an alleged fraud ring accused of using fake admit cards and proxy candidates to cheat in the recruitment examination for the post of Cadet Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) (Unarmed).
Fake admit cards, screenshots of financial transactions and electronic devices allegedly used in the fraud were also seized, said a press release issued by the Rangpur District Police on Saturday afternoon.
According to the release, the incident came to light around 3:30 pm on July 31 at the main gate of Rangpur Police Lines School and College, where the recruitment examination was being held.
An examinee, Ashraful Islam, 21, was taken aside for questioning after he allegedly attempted to enter the face-recognition verification point with a fake admit card. Based on information obtained from him, police arrested an alleged proxy candidate, Tajmilur Rahman, 19, at the venue.
During preliminary interrogation, Ashraful allegedly told investigators that he had struck a deal with Badsha Masud Alam, 48, and Nurul Islam, 46, both employees of the Fire Service and Civil Defence, to secure a Cadet ASI post in exchange for Tk 17 lakh.
Police said he deposited Tk 250,000 into a Dhaka Bank account from Dinajpur and later received a fake admit card via WhatsApp, despite not taking part in the required physical test.
Acting on his information, detectives arrested Badsha Masud Alam from the Ship Company More area of Rangpur city. Police said his mobile phone contained evidence related to the alleged fraud, including money transactions and fake admit cards.
Based on his statement, detectives, with assistance from Kotwali Police Station under Rangpur Metropolitan Police (RPMP), later arrested Nurul Islam in Dhaka.
Police alleged that the group had been operating the racket for a long time by producing fake admit cards and promising jobs as Cadet ASIs in exchange for large amount of money.
Investigators also alleged that the suspects impersonated senior government officials while contacting police officers to create confusion during the recruitment process.
Police believe two to three more people may be involved in the alleged fraud ring.
The seized fake admit cards, screenshots of financial transactions and electronic devices have been taken into police custody as evidence.