Police have arrested a youth from Patiya upazila in Chattogram on charges of fraud and extortion using the names of the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and other top state officials.

The arrestee was identified as Riyad Bin Salim, son of the late Md. Selim Uddin of the Paikpara area under Patiya municipality.

Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Chattogram Range Nazmul Hasan disclosed the information at a press briefing held at the office of the Superintendent of Police in Chattogram on Sunday afternoon.

Riyad was arrested from his residence late Saturday night, he said .

Police said he had long been involved in fraudulent activities and extortion by claiming close links with high-ranking government officials.

Law enforcers recovered several items from his possession including an ID card bearing his photograph labeled “CSF Chairperson’s Security Force (ID No-013),” a metal detector, a walkie-talkie handset with charger, a black-handled signal light, a monitoring cell card with his photo, a walkie-talkie-like mobile phone and a button phone set.

Nazmul Hasan said Riyad used to post photos on his Facebook account showing ‘close associations’ with top government officials and ministers to mislead people.

Police suspect the images were generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

He is also accused of creating fake ID cards of the Home Ministry’s protocol wing.

Riyad took Tk 2. 15 lakh  from the wife of an accused named Kamrul Hasan promising to secure his bail while he was in jail.

A case has been filed with the local police station in this connection.

Police said he is facing multiple cases including allegations of rape and narcotics offences.

He defrauded several individuals by promising jobs in positions such as tax inspector, control operator and server in-charge at Chattogram City Corporation, said police.