Four Members Of Narsingdi Honey Trap Ring Apprehended

The District Detective Branch (DB) of the Narsingdi police has dismantled a sophisticated “honey trap” criminal syndicate involved in a series of abductions, physical assaults, and blackmailing operations. In a formal press release issued on Wednesday afternoon, 6 May, the district police confirmed the arrest of four individuals allegedly responsible for orchestrating these crimes. The group reportedly utilised female members to lure unsuspecting victims into compromising situations to extort substantial sums of money.

The apprehended suspects have been identified as Sharmin Akhter (alias Brishti), 24; Smriti Akhter, 20; Md. Kaiyum, 25; and Faisal Mia, 34. The arrests followed a coordinated operation conducted on Tuesday night in the Saheprotop and Railway Station areas of Narsingdi town. During the operation, law enforcement recovered a mobile phone belonging to one of the victims from the possession of Faisal Mia, who has subsequently provided a confessional statement before the court.

Modus Operandi of the Criminal Syndicate

According to preliminary interrogations conducted by the Detective Branch, the syndicate has been operating systematically for an extended period. The criminal process followed a consistent and calculated pattern:

• Entrapment: The female members of the ring would initiate romantic relationships with targeted individuals, often via social media platforms.

• Abduction: After establishing rapport, the victims were invited to meet in person at secluded or isolated locations. Upon arrival, the male accomplices would intercept and abduct the victim.

• Assault and Coercion: The victims were subjected to physical torture and forced into a state of undress.

• Digital Blackmail: The syndicate then recorded objectionable video footage of the victims with the female members of the ring.

• Extortion: Using the threat of circulating this “pornographic” content on the internet, the gang demanded large ransoms. Those who resisted or refused to pay were reportedly met with death threats.

Criminal History of the Detainees

Official police records indicate that several members of the apprehended group are habitual offenders with extensive criminal backgrounds. Smriti Akhter was already the subject of prior cases involving abduction and theft.

Even more significant is the record of Faisal Mia, identified as a core member of the syndicate. He is currently facing at least seven active cases across various police stations in Narsingdi and Chattogram. These charges include violations of the Pornography Control Act, the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, as well as various narcotics and theft offences. The recovery of a victim’s stolen handset from his possession has provided critical physical evidence linking the group to their most recent activities.

Official Police Response and Public Safety Advisory

The investigation was formalised following a specific incident in the Nagriyakanda area of Narsingdi town, where a young man fell victim to the ring’s tactics and subsequently filed a complaint. This led to the registration of a formal case at the Narsingdi Model Police Station.

Ershad Ullah, Inspector (Unarmed) of the Narsingdi Detective Branch, stated that the authorities have moved the court to seek a seven-day remand for the four suspects to facilitate deeper interrogation. He confirmed that police operations are ongoing to identify and arrest any remaining associates of the syndicate who may still be at large.

In light of these developments, the district police have issued a public safety advisory, urging citizens to remain vigilant regarding their interactions on social media. Authorities have specifically cautioned against forming intimate acquaintances with strangers online and have advised the public to avoid meeting unknown individuals in isolated or unfamiliar locations to mitigate the risk of such criminal entrapment.