Ctg man arrested for impersonating home minister's bodyguard using AI images

Police have arrested a man from Patiya in Chattogram on charges of fraud, allegedly using artificial intelligence-generated images to pose as the bodyguard of the home minister.

The arrestee was identified as Riyad Bin Salim, son of the late Md Selim Uddin of the Paikpara area under Patiya municipality.

Chattogram Range Additional Deputy Inspector General Nazmul Hasan disclosed the information at a press briefing held at the office of the Superintendent of Police in Chattogram this afternoon (5 April).

Riyad was arrested from his residence late last night, he said.

Police said he had long been involved in fraudulent activities and extortion by claiming close links with high-ranking government officials.

Law enforcers recovered several items from his possession, including a fake ID card, a metal detector, a walkie-talkie handset with charger, a black-handled signal light, a monitoring cell card with his photo, a walkie-talkie-like mobile phone and a button phone set.

Nazmul said Riyad used to post photos on his Facebook account showing "close associations" with top government officials and ministers to mislead people.

Police suspect the images were generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

Riyad allegedly took Tk2.15 lakh from the wife of an accused named Kamrul Hasan, promising to secure his bail while he was in jail.

A case has been filed with the local police station in this connection.

Police said he is facing multiple cases, including allegations of rape and narcotics offences.

He defrauded several individuals by promising jobs in positions such as tax inspector, control operator and server in-charge at Chattogram City Corporation, police said.