A fraud gang has been making threatening calls on WhatsApp, impersonating police officers, and extorting money from users in Jhenaidah.
The scammers introduce themselves as officials from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), saying: “I am calling from the DMP Commissioner’s Office in Dhaka. A group has been created using your WhatsApp number, and members of that group are insulting the IGP, DIG, and other senior police officials. Do you know about this? If not, I will set up your WhatsApp for you.” Such alarming statements are being used to intimidate victims.
On Friday (22 August) afternoon, the fraudsters called Jhenaidah Press Club President Asif Kajol on WhatsApp from an unknown number, introducing themselves as Sohail from the Police Headquarters. Disturbed by the suspicious call, journalist Asif Kajol immediately informed the Cyber Crime Unit of the Jhenaidah DB Police.
Cyber Cell officials confirmed that the callers are part of a fraud gang operating from Chandpur village in Bagha upazila of Rajshahi. They further said that this gang has spread its network across the country, deceiving people and extorting money.
According to reports, the scammers previously called the former principal of Jhenaidah Government KC College and a local cloth trader, creating fear and then gaining unauthorized access to their mobile phones. Some victims were even tricked into paying money.
As a result, many WhatsApp users in Jhenaidah have become alarmed after receiving such calls from fraudsters posing as police officers.
Jhenaidah Press Club President Asif Kajol said, “At first, when I received the WhatsApp call, I believed them and became somewhat anxious. But out of curiosity, I contacted the Cyber Team of Jhenaidah Police, and they confirmed it was a fraud gang. They told me these fraudsters take control of people’s phones, intimidate them, and extort money.”
Additional Superintendent of Police in Jhenaidah, Imran Zakaria, said, “With the expansion of technology, fraud gangs are also becoming active. They take advantage of the situation and cause harm to people. To stay safe from them, WhatsApp users must be more cautious. At the same time, Jhenaidah District Police and the Cyber Cell are conducting regular drives to track down and arrest these fraudsters.”
