Manikganj Couple Remanded in Custody Over Substantial Overseas Recruitment Fraud

The Senior Judicial Magistrate Court-4 in Manikganj has ordered the detention of a married couple from Harirampur Upazila in connection with an alleged overseas recruitment scam involving the embezzlement of 3.2 million Bangladeshi Taka. On Monday, 27 April 2026, the presiding judge rejected the defendants’ bail applications and directed that they be remanded in judicial custody.

The accused individuals have been identified as Md. Zohirul Islam, son of Salam Mulla, and his wife, Monowara Begum. Both reside in Shatti village within the Chala Union of Harirampur Upazila.

Details of the Alleged Embezzlement

According to the case files, the defendants allegedly targeted their neighbours, Badal Biswas and Md. Delwar Hossain, with promises of high-salaried employment opportunities in Australia. Trusting these assurances of a prosperous future abroad, the victims reportedly handed over various sums of cash at different intervals, amounting to a cumulative total of 3.2 million Taka.

Olid Biswas, one of the affected parties, provided a statement detailing the financial devastation his family has faced due to the transaction. He explained that he, along with his father and his uncle, Delwar, had resorted to selling their ancestral land and personal assets to raise the capital demanded by the couple.

“In simple good faith, my father, my uncle Delwar, and I sold our land and properties to provide the 3.2 million Taka,” Olid Biswas stated. “They presented us with dreams of a golden future, but ultimately committed a profound deception. Having lost our means of support and resources, we are now destitute.”

Failure of Service and Subsequent Threats

The prosecution alleges that after receiving the funds, the defendants failed to facilitate the promised migration or provide any legitimate travel documentation within a reasonable timeframe. When the victims eventually realised that the recruitment was not proceeding as promised, they requested the return of their passports and the full reimbursement of their money.

The complaint further states that the accused couple refused to return the funds. Instead, they allegedly resorted to intimidation, issuing death threats and attempting to coerce the victims into not pursuing legal action. Faced with these threats and the loss of their life savings, the victims sought the intervention of local community leaders and subsequently pursued a legal remedy.

Judicial Process and PBI Investigation

The victims initially approached the local police station; however, they were advised to file a formal complaint through the judicial system. Consequently, a case was lodged with the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court-3 in Manikganj.

Given the gravity of the financial fraud, the investigation was handed over to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI). Following an extensive and thorough probe into the allegations, the PBI submitted its findings to the court. Based on the preliminary evidence and the PBI report, the court subsequently issued arrest warrants for Md. Zohirul Islam and Monowara Begum.

Court Appearance and Remand

On Monday, the accused couple appeared before the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court-4 to surrender and formally apply for bail. After reviewing the case details and the PBI’s investigative report, the court determined that there was sufficient primary evidence to support the allegations of fraud and embezzlement.

The judge consequently rejected the bail petition, noting the severity of the financial crime and the impact on the victims. The court ordered that the defendants be transferred immediately to the district jail.

The victims expressed a degree of satisfaction with the court’s decision to deny bail, stating that they hope for a swift trial that ensures the recovery of their hard-earned money. They further called for exemplary punishment to serve as a deterrent against similar fraudulent activities, aiming to protect other vulnerable individuals from such exploitation.