15 held from 2 online gambling hubs in Naogaon

Police have arrested 15 people, including alleged ringleaders of an online gambling network, during separate drives on two gambling hubs at Manda upazila of Naogaon.

According to a press release issued by Naogaon police media cell on Friday afternoon, the suspects have been charged under multiple sections of the Cyber Security Act-2026 for operating online gambling activities, money laundering and encouraging young people to engage in illegal betting.

Police said the first drive was conducted around 11:00 pm on Wednesday, May 13 in the Kashopara area under the leadership of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Abdullah Al Mahmud Shawon and Manda Police Station officer-in-charge (OC) Khorshed Alam.

During the operation, police arrested three alleged key operators of the online gambling network  Sohel Hossain, 24, Robiul Islam, 19 and Sohel Rana, 20.

A search of Sohel Hossain’s residence led to the seizure of Tk 170,000 in cash, six mobile phones, two laptops and five desktop computers, the officials stated.

Later, at around 4:00 am on Friday, police carried out another drive at an online gambling centre operating on the ground floor of a one-storey house owned by Fazlur Rahman at Dinboni Haripara area.

Police said young men from different areas had gathered there late at night to participate in online gambling activities. Twelve more suspects were arrested during the drive and recovered 15 mobile phones, 11 desktop computers, 11 monitors, 11 keyboards and three laptops from the scene.

The arrested individuals were identified as Al Amin, 28, Al Mamun, 22, Shakil Babu, 19, Badiuzzaman alias Biplob, 20, Shafayet Rabbi, 19, Arif Hossain, 30, Mushfikur Reza alias Ratul, 22, Robiul Islam, 26, Nice Babu, 25, Roman Babu alias Riyon, 21, Nazmul Hossain, 27 and Shafayet alias Apon, 19.

Police said primary investigations revealed evidence of large-scale illegal dollar transactions linked to the online gambling operations. 

Naogaon Superintendent of Police (SP) Mohammad Tarikul Islam said special drives against drugs and online gambling are ongoing across the district.

“We will further intensify operations to stop these socially destructive activities,” he added.

KKH/TZ