CID arrests 5 for human trafficking over Saudi driving visa scam

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of police has arrested five members of a human trafficking gang for allegedly pocketing huge sums of money by offering lucrative job opportunities in Saudi Arabia on driving visas with a monthly salary of 2,500 riyals. They were arrested in an operation in the Sainik Club area of Banani in the capital.

The arrestees are—Md Shamim (40), Md Ruhul Amin (24), Md Hridoy Hasan (26), Abu Rayhan (29) and Md Sani Mia (25). During the operation, 51 Bangladeshi passports, three smartphones and several registers were seized from them.

In a press release, the CID said online advertisements promised 100 percent confirmation of jobs in Saudi Arabia on driving visas with a monthly salary of 2,500 riyals. When a victim contacted the number given in the advertisement, he was asked to go to an office in the Sainik Club area of Banani. There, an agreement was made with him for Tk 3,70,000 to arrange the job. Later, Tk 2,66,000 was taken from him in cash and through bank transactions.

However, instead of providing a driving visa as per the agreement, the victim was given a tourist visa. Realising the fraud, the victim filed a case with Banani Police Station.

During the investigation, the CID learned that the gang had similarly swindled approximately Tk 19 lakh from several other individuals by giving false assurances of sending them abroad. Members of the gang would lure unemployed youths through flashy online advertisements and, in the name of sending them abroad, pocket large sums of money and keep their passports under their control.

The CID said the investigation is ongoing to identify and bring to justice other members of the organised gang, absconding accused, and their local and foreign associates. The agency has also warned the public not to hand over money or passports to any unknown person or organisation without proper verification before going abroad.