PBI busts cyber 'tantric' fraud ring

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has uncovered an organised cyber fraud ring that allegedly exploited people's emotions and superstitions through fake "tantric" identities on Facebook, luring victims with promises of solving personal problems before extorting money through elaborate scams.

Investigators arrested three members of the group after analysing their digital footprints during an investigation into a cyber fraud case filed with Khilkhet Police Station. Two of the suspects have since given confessional statements before a court.

According to the PBI, the case came to light after a woman contacted a self-proclaimed tantric through a fake Facebook account named "Rahmat Ali Kabiraj." 

The fraudsters first persuaded her to pay a hadiya (offering) and later demanded more money to buy a so-called "Jalali pigeon," claiming it would end her husband's extramarital affair.

The suspects then claimed that jinn would resolve the problem and instructed the victim during an Imo video call to use potassium permanganate and syrupy sweets in a ritual. The mixture caused a chemical reaction that severely burned her palms. The fraudsters later extorted Tk21,000, promising to heal the injuries while threatening her.

During raids on July 24, investigators arrested Ahid Mia alias "Kuwait", 24, and Mahe Alam, 27, from Chandina in Cumilla, and Md Hasan Ali, 20, from Sudharam in Noakhali. Mobile phones and multiple SIM cards allegedly used in the scam were seized.

According to the PBI, Ahid Mia and Hasan Ali later gave confessional statements before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

Investigators found that the group operated multiple fake Facebook and Imo accounts under names such as "Tantric Kabiraj", "Hossain Kabiraj", "Asma Kabiraj" and "Rahmat Ali Kabiraj", mainly targeting women. Victims were allegedly tricked into causing chemical burns to themselves before being told the injuries were caused by jinn and pressured to send money through bKash, Nagad and other mobile financial services.

The PBI also found that the group allegedly targeted victims in India using Indian mobile numbers and fake Facebook pages, collected payments through Google Pay and transferred the proceeds to Bangladesh through hundi.

According to the PBI, the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery has treated at least 200 people in recent months for similar chemically induced injuries.

PBI Special Superintendent of Police (SI&O-North) Md Fazle Elahi said the agency maintains a zero-tolerance policy against fraudsters exploiting technology, religious beliefs and superstition for financial gain. He urged the public not to fall for self-proclaimed tantrics on social media and asked victims to report such incidents to law enforcement.