Man remanded for 6 days over blackmailing, fraud using fake Facebook IDs of PM's wife, APS

A Dhaka court today (24 August) placed a man on six days' remand in a case filed over allegations of blackmailing and fraud on Social media using names and photos of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and APS-2 Abdur Rahman Sany.

Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Jashita Islam passed the order after a hearing, confirmed Prosecution Sub-Inspector Moktar Hossain.

The accused, Kakon Rana, 35, was produced before the court by police, which sought seven days' remand.

According to the remand petition, Rana initially admitted to creating fake accounts. Police found multiple fake Facebook pages and accounts logged in on his mobile phone using the names of the prime minister's APS-2, the prime minister's wife, identified as "Dr Zubaida Rahman", and the prime minister's additional press secretary, "Atikur Rahman Rumon", among others.

Police said they sought his remand to determine the motive behind the alleged offences, identify and arrest accomplices or other members of the alleged criminal network, and recover other digital devices and SIM cards used in the activities.

After hearing the petition, the court granted six days' remand.

According to the case statement, an unidentified group had created a fake Facebook profile using the name "Abdur Rahman Suny", the prime minister's APS-2, and used his name and photo.

The accounts were allegedly used to send messages to various people, offering different forms of assistance and subsequently engaging in defamation, blackmail and fraud.

On 23 August, Md Moinul Islam Rony filed the case under the Cyber Security Act with Banani Police Station on behalf of Abdur Rahman Sany. Police arrested Rana after the case was filed.