63 foreign nationals remanded for two days in Ctg online scam case

A Chattogram court today (15 September) placed 63 foreign nationals on two-day remand after they were arrested in the city's Khulshi area on 10 September over alleged involvement in online scamming.

The court also directed the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), which is investigating the case, to submit its investigation report within 20 days.

Chattogram Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Muhidul Islam passed the order in the morning, Mohammad Hasan Iqbal Chowdhury, acting deputy commissioner of prosecution at Chattogram Metropolitan Police, confirmed it to The Business Standard. 

Police had sought seven days' remand for the 63 accused on 13 September. They were produced before the court under police escort at around 9:30am today, and the court granted two days' remand after hearing the petition.

The 63 foreign nationals were arrested following a police operation at an eight-storey building in the Krishnachura Residential Area of Khulshi on 10 September.

Police earlier said the group included 35 citizens of Laos, 21 of Pakistan, five of China, and one each from Nepal and Vietnam. A case was filed with Khulshi Police Station under the Cyber Security Act, with police as the complainant.

According to police, the suspects were allegedly involved in online scams, financial fraud, unauthorised electronic transactions and other cyber activities. Police seized 134 mobile phones, 57 laptops and other electronic devices during the operation.

Defence opposes remand

Defence lawyer Advocate Mohammad Mizan opposed the remand petition, questioning the basis for the arrests.

He said no victim had come forward over the alleged activities and raised concerns over how the foreign nationals would be questioned because of the language barrier.

The court also directed authorities to arrange appropriate care for a six-year-old child who had been staying in jail with the mother.

The child is not among the accused.

Mohsin shown arrested

Meanwhile, the same court today ordered that Mohammad Mohsin, who had previously been arrested in a separate cocaine case, be shown as arrested in the case involving the 63 foreign nationals.

Mohsin was produced before the court at around 12:30pm, Acting Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) Hasan Iqbal Chowdhury of CMP said.

Police have not yet sought his remand in the cybercrime case. They may file a remand petition later, after which the court will set a hearing date.

Separately, the court granted police one day's remand for Mohsin in the cocaine case.

Mohsin was arrested following the recovery of 118 grammes of cocaine from a courier service in the city on 5 September.

Police allege that he had links with the 63 foreign nationals and was involved in arranging the eight-storey building where they were staying.

Police said Mohsin had earlier sent 118 grammes of cocaine through a courier service to a person in Dhaka. The consignment was later returned.

Investigators said they came across information about the foreign nationals while investigating the cocaine case