The Counter Terrorism Department of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has arrested a youth for allegedly hacking into the National Board of Revenue's (NBR) customs server and helping an organised syndicate attempt to smuggle foreign liquor and cigarettes through Chattogram Port.
Sheikh Sejan, 26, was apprehended on July 15 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka with assistance from the Immigration Police while allegedly attempting to flee to Nepal, CMP Additional Police Commissioner Md Faisal Ahmed disclosed the information at a press briefing on Friday.
He said Sheikh Sejan's involvement emerged during the investigation into two cases filed with Bandar Police Station.
According to police, one case involves the alleged attempt to import 11,676 litres of foreign liquor from China by falsely declaring the consignment as duty-free fabric imported under bonded warehouse facilities.
The second case relates to an alleged attempt to import around five million sticks of foreign cigarettes and secure their release from Chattogram Port through fraudulent customs clearance.
Investigators said the syndicate illegally accessed the NBR's ASYCUDA World System and the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) online portal by using other users' credentials, changing passwords and manipulating customs processes.
Police estimate the alleged fraud could have resulted in revenue losses of Tk 10–12 crore.
According to CMP, Sheikh Sejan was identified based on information gathered during the interrogation of seven suspects arrested earlier in connection with the two cases.
Police said Sejan, who is skilled in information technology, admitted during preliminary interrogation to providing technical assistance in gaining unauthorised access to the customs and port servers.
Investigators also found digital evidence indicating that on May 20, 2024, an unauthorised login was made to a customs officer's account using a mobile internet connection.
The same account was allegedly used later to complete LC-GI registration and other customs procedures related to the cigarette-smuggling attempt.
Police said a previous raid at Sejan's house in Lohagara upazila of Narail failed to arrest him as he had gone into hiding. However, officers seized a Samsung mobile phone allegedly used to access the ASYCUDA World System and carry out LC-related activities.
CMP also said Sejan had previously been arrested in a joint operation by CMP and the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police on charges of cloning government websites and forging digital government documents, including national identity cards, land development tax receipts, birth registration certificates and vaccination certificates.
He is facing seven cybercrime and fraud cases filed at different police stations across the country, police said.
Earlier in the investigation, police arrested Hafez Trading Private Limited Chairman Bakir Hossain, Director Khaled Hossain Mamun, company employees Khorshed Alam Ripon and Mizan, along with alleged syndicate members Ashraf Hossain Raju, Khayez Ahmed alias Arif and Boro Raju.
They have all been produced before the court.