Around 250–300 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals suspected of being linked to an alleged online fraud network have gone into hiding in Cox’s Bazar following a police crackdown, officials said.
Police said seven to eight of them may have already left Bangladesh, while efforts are underway to locate the others and prevent them from leaving the country.
Police have learned that seven to eight of them have already left Bangladesh. At the same time, the rest are believed to be hiding in different parts of the country, including hotels in Cox’s Bazar, said Cox’s Bazar additional superintendent of police (crime and operations) Md Ahidur Rahman.
“We have learned that seven or eight have left. The rest are still in the country in hiding. They will not be able to leave. Information has been shared with different agencies, and police are investigating the case,” he said.
On August 25, police raided several establishments in Himchhari and Inani after receiving information about the suspected operation. Many of the foreigners allegedly fled through the open beach.
On September 3, police arrested six Chinese and Taiwanese nationals from hotels in Cox’s Bazar. Police seized six mobile phones, five passports, and three identification cards. Police filed a case against the six and several other named and unnamed suspects.
According to the case statement, the group entered Bangladesh on arrival visas from March and rented several properties from April. Police said they had set up a computer lab with six soundproof rooms.
During the investigation, police reportedly seized 1,938 older-model iPhones, 50 monitors, 44 CPUs, 30 keyboards, two laptops, two printers and other computer equipment. Police also recovered police-rank badges, a tie bearing police insignia and a Chinese flag.
Investigators suspect the group was involved in an organised online financial fraud scheme, allegedly using fake market analysis and investment offers to lure victims through fraudulent transaction platforms.
A three-member Chinese embassy delegation visited the seized premises on August 26, while a nine-member team from the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit inspected the sites two days later. Police have recommended forensic examination of the seized equipment.
Several hotel and resort operators told police that groups of Chinese nationals had rented rooms for extended periods while maintaining strict control over access to their premises.
Police are now investigating the foreigners’ entry into Bangladesh, their visa status, whereabouts and possible involvement in the alleged fraud network.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Collected
