Police have arrested the mastermind of an online fraud ring that allegedly impersonated prominent Islamic scholar Rafiqul Islam Madani to extort money from religious event organisers. The suspect was taken into custody during an early hours raid on Monday, 5 October, in South Lohajuri village under Katiadi upazila, Kishoreganj.
The arrested individual was identified as 31-year-old Md Nuruzzaman. Police officers recovered two smartphones and six active SIM cards issued by various telecommunication operators during the operation at the house of the suspect’s relative.
Investigating officers from Purbadhala Police Station in Netrokona tracked down Nuruzzaman using advanced digital tracking techniques. Supported by local officers from the Katiadi Model Police Station, the team conducted a targeted raid on the residence of Nuruzzaman’s relative, Kausar, where the suspect had been hiding.
According to police records and the case statement, Nuruzzaman and his accomplices operated the fraudulent scheme for nearly two years. The gang created multiple fake profiles on Facebook, Imo, and WhatsApp using photographs and identity details of Maulana Rafiqul Islam Madani. To facilitate the scam, Nuruzzaman operated a Facebook profile under the moniker ‘Hafez Ayesha Jannat’, claiming to be Madani’s sister-in-law.
When religious committee members reached out to book Madani for sermon gatherings, Nuruzzaman handled communications through these fake accounts. He promised to secure booking dates and guarantee the preacher’s attendance upon receiving upfront payments via mobile financial services. Once money was transferred, the syndicate severed all communication and blocked the victims’ contact numbers.
Madani, a resident of Letirkanda village in Purbadhala upazila, filed a formal case at Purbadhala Police Station after discovering that his identity was systematically exploited to defraud event organisers.
During initial questioning, Nuruzzaman admitted to his involvement in the scheme. Police background checks revealed that he is a repeat offender facing three active cases in court, including charges under the Digital Security Act and the Dowry Prohibition Act.
Officer-in-Charge of Purbadhala Police Station, Md Abdullah Al Mamun, confirmed that police produced Nuruzzaman before a local court on Monday afternoon with a formal remand petition. Investigators are working to trace all financial transactions linked to the ring and identify other co-conspirators involved in the scam.
