7 held over extortion targeting doctors, businesspeople in Ctg
The accused were arrested from different areas of the city.
Chattogram police have arrested seven people on allegations of extorting money by using the names of alleged criminals David Emon, Rayhan and Sazzad and recovered locally made weapons and four mobile phones, including foreign mobile numbers allegedly used in extortion activities.
The arrested individuals are Kamrul Hasan alias Sagar, 25; Md Riku, 25; Md Tarikul Islam alias Rohit, 20; Ahmadullah, 40; Ahmad Reza Shakil, 25; Md Manik, 40; and Nurul Alam, 40.
Chattogram District Police Superintendent Md Masud Alam disclosed the information at a press briefing in the district police superintendent's office today (8 September).
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According to police, they were arrested from different areas, including Hathazari and Bayezid Bostami area, and the recovered phones contained foreign numbers and information allegedly linked to extortion activities.
SP Masud said the arrested individuals were associated with groups linked to David Emon, Rayhan and Sazzad. They allegedly used the names and influence of the groups to extort money from various people, particularly doctors and businesspeople.
According to police, some of the suspects were also involved in carrying out "action" against those who refused to pay the demanded extortion money.
Recently, a well-known doctor in Chattogram was allegedly threatened with a demand for Tk10 lakh using the name of the group. When the doctor did not respond, messages were sent to him from a foreign number.
After he failed to pay the first demand, the extortion amount was increased to Tk20 lakh. Fearing for his safety, the doctor informed the police about the matter both verbally and in writing.
SP Masud Alam said further investigations would be conducted based on information obtained during interrogation. Other individuals allegedly involved in the extortion network will be identified and brought under the law, he added.
