Human Trafficker Arrested in Keraniganj After Kazakh Hostage Scheme

DHAKA — Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officers have arrested a key suspect involved in a sophisticated transnational human trafficking syndicate from the Keraniganj area of Dhaka. The suspect allegedly swindled a man out of 1.2 million Bangladeshi Taka under the pretext of arranging a work permit visa for Australia, before selling him to an overseas trafficking gang in Kazakhstan where he faced severe physical abuse.

The operation was conducted on Saturday night by a specialised team from the RAB-10 Lalbagh camp. According to an official press statement released on Sunday afternoon by Senior Assistant Director (Media) Tapan Sarkar, the arrestee has been identified as 46-year-old Md Qayyum, son of Shamsuddin, hailing from the Muslimnagar locality in South Keraniganj.

Promises of Australian Employment Lead to Central Asia

The dispute dates back to 17 December 2024, when Qayyum visited the home of the victim, Jewel Rana, and his wife. Leveraging an existing personal relationship with the family, the suspect guaranteed that he could secure an official Australian work permit visa for Jewel within twelve months. The total cost of the overseas arrangement was fixed at 1.2 million Taka.

Placing their trust in Qayyum’s assurances, the victim and his wife paid the full amount through a combination of cash payments and bank transfers over several instalments. However, instead of facilitating legitimate travel to Australia, Qayyum and his associates orchestrated a treacherous rerouting. Jewel Rana was transported to Kazakhstan, where he was handed over to a hostile foreign network of human traffickers. Once in Central Asia, the victim was subjected to systematic physical torture, extortion, and unlawful confinement.

Law Enforcement Response and Arrest

Upon learning of her husband’s ordeal in Kazakhstan, Jewel’s wife lodged a formal complaint with the police in Jessore’s Bagharpara. Following an initial inquiry, a case was officially registered at the Bagharpara Police Station on 6 April under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act.

As part of the ongoing investigation, the assigned investigating officer requested operational support from RAB-10 to locate the absconding suspect. Utilizing modern information technology and targeted intelligence surveillance, officers successfully pinpointed Qayyum’s location in South Keraniganj. A raid was launched near the Hasnabad Bridge intersection on Saturday night, resulting in his immediate apprehension.

RAB officials confirmed that the arrested individual has been handed over to the relevant police station to face formal legal proceedings, while efforts continue to dismantle the wider international ring involved in the conspiracy.