The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a man posing as an army officer in a case involving blackmail and fraud.

The suspect, identified as Santu Biswas (39), is the son of Shyamal Biswas from Sahapara village under Keshabpur Police Station in Jashore. CID’s Special Superintendent (Media Wing) Azad Rahman confirmed the arrest.

A CID Cyber Police Centre team apprehended Biswas from a supermarket at Gazipur Chowrasta and seized three mobile phones from his possession.

According to CID sources, Shamima (pseudonym), a divorced mother of two, met Biswas in 2021. He introduced himself as a Muslim and an army officer of Major rank. Using his fabricated identity, Biswas gained Shamima’s trust, exploited her naivety, and forged fake marriage documents for her to sign. Posing as her husband, Biswas secretly recorded her through private videos and pictures.

In addition to claiming he was an army officer, Biswas falsely presented himself as the owner of Jashore Travels, a transport company operating on the Dhaka-Jashore route, and Biswas Garments. He took money from Shamima under the pretext of resolving business issues.

Eventually, Shamima discovered that Biswas was neither an army officer nor a businessman but a fraud. She cut all ties with him after uncovering his deceit. However, Biswas resumed contact, threatening to release her private photos and videos on social media.

On May 8, Biswas sent some objectionable pictures and videos to Shamima and her son's phones. He demanded Tk 5 lakh and warned that if the money was not paid within a specified time, the material would be circulated online, CID Special Superintendent Azad Rahman said.

Shamima’s son lodged a case against Biswas at Lalbagh Police Station on June 11. After CID took over the investigation, they arrested Biswas in Gazipur. During interrogation, he admitted to his involvement in the incident, added Azad.