Instagram influencer Sumaiya arrested over pornographic content trade

Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) has arrested Instagram influencer Sumaiya Saeed, 25, in a case over the alleged production, promotion and sale of pornographic content on social media.

Police also arrested Khaja Saklain Faruk, who investigators described as her alleged key associate, based on information obtained from Sumaiya. Her father, Md Abu Saeed, has also been named as a defendant in the case.

The DB’s Cyber and Special Crime (South) Division said investigators noticed allegedly explicit content and promotional posts for their sale on Sumaiya’s Instagram and Telegram accounts during routine cyber monitoring on August 10.

According to police, the content was allegedly sold through mobile financial services, including bKash and Nagad. Investigators also found promotional offers for different packages, including a purported "lifetime package" priced at Tk 3,500.

After tracing Sumaiya's location using technological means, a DB team raided a flat in the Vatara area of Dhaka on Tuesday night and arrested her. Police said an iPhone 17 Pro Max and a OnePlus smartphone were seized from her possession.

Based on information obtained during her initial interrogation, investigators later conducted an operation in the Badda area and arrested Saklain Faruk.

The DB alleged that Sumaiya had been operating an organised network with several associates to produce and sell such content online. Investigators are working to identify and apprehend other members of the alleged group.

Police have also accused Sumaiya's father of being aware of her activities and receiving money allegedly earned from them. He was therefore named in the case filed with Ramna Model Police Station under the Pornography Control Act, 2012.

Police have sought a three-day remand for Sumaiya and Saklain Faruk to investigate the alleged network and identify its other members.