In a significant crackdown, the Detective Branch of police has dismantled a sophisticated ring responsible for producing fraudulent birth certificates, National IDs (NIDs), and passports for Rohingyas in exchange for cash. The operation resulted in the arrest of 23 individuals linked to the illicit gang during two separate raids conducted in the Agargaon, Mohammadpur, and Jatrabari areas of Dhaka on Friday and Sunday.
Reports reveal that the arrested individuals were charging between Tk5,000 to Tk12,000 for a birth certificate, promising delivery within six hours. For NIDs, the fee was Tk25,000 with a three-day turnaround, while passports came at a hefty price of Tk1,20,000.
Items seized during the raids included 17 passports, 13 NIDs, five computers, three printers, 24 mobile phones, and numerous passport-related documents. Among the arrested suspects were Rohingyas, Bangladeshi brokers, and even members of the Ansar force.
The arrests unfolded in stages, with initial detentions occurring in Agargaon, Mohammadpur, and Jatrabari. Subsequent investigations led to additional arrests in Cox’s Bazar, Tangail, and Dhaka, bringing the total number of individuals in custody to 23.
The court has granted law enforcement five days to interrogate the suspects in custody. The apprehended Rohingyas include Umme Salima (Samira), Morijan, and Rashidul, while Rohingya brokers Ayub Ali and Mostakim were also among those taken into custody.
The network involved various Bangladeshi brokers operating computer shops in strategic locations like Agargaon, Mohammadpur, and Uttara. The gang facilitated the transportation of Rohingyas from Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, and Khagrachari to Dhaka. One faction produced fraudulent birth certificates and NIDs, while another managed the financial transactions and document submissions through Ansar members at regional passport offices, including Dhaka.
Shockingly, the gang admitted to issuing passports in different names and addresses not only to Rohingyas but also to criminals within the country since 2019. The illicit documents, including birth certificates and NIDs, utilized addresses in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Shariatpur, Gopalganj, and Barisal.
This revelation sheds light on a broader issue of document forgery and raises concerns about national security. Authorities are now intensifying efforts to dismantle such networks and prevent the misuse of official documents. Stay tuned for further updates on this unfolding investigation.
