Fake tantriks held for scamming women

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has arrested three members of an organised ring who allegedly swindled women out of their money with false promises of giving “supernatural medical treatment.”

The detainees allegedly posed as tantriks on Facebook. They instructed their unsuspecting followers to apply harmful chemicals on body parts to get remedy for personal problems, and later, sought money for treating the burn injuries with “supernatural means.”

The arrested are Ahid Mia alias Kuwait, Mahe Alam and Hasan Ali. They were arrested during separate raids in Cumilla and Noakhali on Friday.

Speaking at a press briefing at the PBI SI&O (North) office in South Kallyanpur on Sunday, Special Superintendent of Police Md Fazle Elahi said the investigation began after a woman, Salma Akter, filed a case under the Cyber Security Ordinance with Khilkhet Police Station on 21 June.

According to the PBI, the victim came into contact with a Facebook account named "Rahmat Ali Kabiraj", which claims it is operated by a “spiritual healer.”

The fraudsters assured her that they could end her husband's alleged extramarital relationship through supernatural means.

Initially, they collected Tk1,500 and later took another Tk3,500 through bKash under the pretext of purchasing a “Jalali pigeon.”

The victim was subsequently instructed during an Imo video call to buy potassium permanganate and sweets and use them in a specific manner. The resulting chemical reaction caused severe burns to her left palm.

The suspects then claimed they could heal the burn through the help of a jinn and collected another Tk16,000 through bKash and Nagad, taking a total of Tk21,000 before cutting off all communication.

Fazle Elahi said investigators traced the suspects using intelligence inputs and information technology.

During primary interrogation, all three admitted to defrauding the victim, while Ahid Mia and Hasan Ali also gave confessional statements before a court under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Several mobile phones and SIM cards were recovered during the raids.

According to investigators, the group operated multiple fake Facebook and Imo accounts under names including “Tantrik Kabiraj”, “Hossain Kabiraj”, “Asma Kabiraj” and “Rahmat Ali Kabiraj” to lure victims.

Victims were instructed to place potassium permanganate and sweets on their palms or navels during video calls, triggering chemical burns.

The fraudsters then told their unsuspecting clients that only they could cure the injuries through supernatural powers, forcing them to pay more money.

The PBI official said the syndicate also operated similar fake Facebook pages targeting victims in neighbouring India using Indian mobile numbers.

Payments were received through Google Pay before being transferred to Bangladesh through hundi channels.

He added that the group regularly promoted its fake Facebook pages through paid advertisements to attract more victims.

Citing information from the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Fazle Elahi said at least 200 people suffering from similar chemical burns had sought treatment at the institute in recent months.

During interrogation, the suspects told investigators they had learned about the chemical reaction from YouTube.

They also claimed to be members of the Bede community and said many people in their village were engaged in similar fraudulent activities.

The PBI said the investigation is continuing to identify other members of the syndicate and determine whether more victims were targeted through the scam.