Online gambling network: 14 arrested in raids across 5 districts

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested 14 people in raids across five districts for their alleged involvement in an online gambling and betting network that used proxy SIM cards and bank accounts to move gambling proceeds.

According to CID, members of the network collected SIM cards and bank accounts registered in other people's names to facilitate betting transactions. Agents allegedly took commissions before the remaining funds were laundered abroad through bank accounts and cryptocurrency platforms.

Four more suspects were arrested in Tangail yesterday (13 September), taking the total number of arrests in the case to 14.

Mohammad Sufi Ullah, special superintendent of police (media) at CID, said the online gambling and money laundering network had spread across the country.

"Those involved in the network are being identified through technological analysis and intelligence information," he said.

He added that CID operations would continue to bring those involved in online gambling, illegal e-transactions and money laundering to justice.

The latest arrests are Bablu Mia, 28, and Md Monir Hossain, 30, of Tangail Sadar upazila, and Nur Safayet Ipti, 24, and Shamim Al Mamun, 29, of Sakhipur, according to CID.

A team of the CID Cyber Police Centre arrested them during raids in different parts of Tangail at around 11pm yesterday.

CID said the four supplied SIM cards registered in their own names for use on online betting sites. The cards were allegedly used to deposit and withdraw money from gambling platforms.

The investigation found that the network recruited agents to collect mobile financial service (MFS) and bank accounts, which were then used alongside SIM cards for transactions involving online gambling proceeds.

Agents allegedly retained a commission from the money collected through betting, while the rest was transferred abroad through bank accounts and cryptocurrency platforms, CID said.

The investigation also found that the network offered betting on international cricket, football and other sports, as well as online casino games, through advertisements on social media and other online platforms.

CID filed the case with Paltan Police Station on 17 May under various sections of the Cyber Security Act.

Investigators later identified members of the network in different areas using technological analysis and intelligence information.

An official involved in the investigation at the Cyber Police Centre said the first major operation took place in Tangail on 7 June, when three people were arrested.

CID subsequently arrested three people during raids in Narsingdi and Narayanganj on 16 June, followed by two arrests in Narail on 12 July.

Two more suspects were arrested from the Padma Residential Area under Chandrima Police Station in Rajshahi on 19 August.

Four additional arrests in Tangail yesterday brought the total to 14.

CID said the investigation is continuing to identify more members of the network, suppliers of agent SIM cards and others involved in handling the financial transactions.

The latest arrestees admitted during preliminary questioning to collecting and supplying agent SIM cards for use on online betting sites, according to CID.