Detectives have arrested a man accused of defrauding multiple people by promising overseas investment opportunities and using purported political connections to gain their trust.
Police said they arrested Md Shishir Munna, 28, a former administrator of the Facebook pages of former Land Minister Narayan Chandra Chanda and former lawmaker Anupam Shahjahan Joy, in the capital early Wednesday on charges of fraud, forgery and embezzlement.
At a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre, Additional Commissioner Mohammad Shafiqul Islam said Munna had left Bangladesh after August 5, 2024, and travelled to Qatar.
After returning to the country in April 2025, he resumed fraudulent activities, he said.
Munna and his associates persuaded a businessman to invest in purported government projects in Qatar and collected Tk 11.27 lakh in several instalments.
They later provided the victim with a fake visa and a forged airline ticket.
When the businessman discovered the deception and demanded a refund, the accused allegedly delayed repayment and threatened him, police said.
A case was subsequently filed with Jatrabari Police Station on charges of fraud, forgery and misappropriation of funds.
The DB chief said that after the victim sought assistance from detectives, a team from the DB's Wari Division launched an investigation and identified 14 to 15 other victims.
Police said preliminary findings showed that Munna used to manage the Facebook pages of former minister Narayan Chandra Chanda and former MP Anupam Shahjahan Joy.
His responsibilities included producing campaign videos, managing social media publicity and conducting promotional activities.
He is wanted in another case and faces an arrest warrant issued by South Keraniganj Police Station, police said.
Responding to questions from journalists, Shafiqul Islam said Munna often claimed to have close ties with incumbent ministers and lawmakers. To bolster those claims, he used to invite victims to the South Plaza area of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
He added that four to five more individuals are believed to be involved in the fraud ring, including Munna’s sister, who is currently abroad and allegedly assisted the operation from outside the country.
Efforts are underway to identify and arrest the remaining suspects, police said.