Fraudsters Exploit Prisoners’ Plight With False Promises of Rescue or Release, Swindling Families of More Than 10,000 Inmates

Advotech Sadiatul Jannat

You will be shocked to hear the precise and brutal way in which the mobile fraud ring that was recently discovered centered around the Chittagong Central Jail operates. This ring is not an ordinary pickpocket or a clumsy thief; they have already blackmailed more than 10,000 families in a very cold and well-planned manner.

Below is a more detailed explanation of how the incident actually happens and how they can steal your relatives’ money from your home:

Members of this gang roam around the Chittagong court premises and jail gates every day, mingling with the general public. When a prisoner is being taken out of a prison van or their relatives are anxiously waiting in front of the jail, the fraudsters cleverly stand by. Under the pretext of comforting or promising to help, they learn the prisoner’s name, the nature of the case, and the family’s mobile phone number.

This does not end here. When prisoners inside the prison speak to their families on official phones as per the rules, their call lists and mobile numbers are smuggled from inside the prison to the main fraudsters outside with the help of a class of dishonest people.

After obtaining the number, the scammers usually choose late at night or early in the morning, when people are less able to think logically. They call and introduce themselves as a senior official in the prison (such as the jailer, deputy jailer) or a doctor from the hospital inside the prison.

From the other end of the phone, they speak in a very serious and urgent voice, as if their hearts are pounding just listening to it. For example, “Your son got into a fight with other prisoners inside the jail and his head was cracked, and he is bleeding profusely. There is no medicine in the government hospital, and he cannot be saved unless you donate 20,000 taka right now.” Or “We have spoken to the higher-ups, if you pay 30,000 taka for the bail bond tonight, your husband will be released from jail tomorrow morning.”

Any mother, father or wife would be terrified to hear about the extreme crisis of their loved one in prison. They have no chance to verify the truth from a distance in the dead of night. In a desperate bid to save their loved one, they borrow money or use their last savings to send money to the bKash number provided by the fraudsters. As soon as they receive the money, the criminals deactivate the SIM and disappear.

By the time the family learned the truth in the morning, all the money they had saved was gone.

The horrific nature of this gang has come to light as the main mastermind of this gang was recently caught with a large quantity of mobile SIMs and devices in a special operation by the DB Police.

Warning for everyone:

• Keep in mind that in Bangladesh, prisons or any government office never conduct money transactions through personal Bikash, Rocket, or Nagad.
• If a prisoner becomes seriously ill inside the prison, they are provided with medical treatment according to government regulations, and are not asked for money over the phone in the dark of night.
• If you receive such a call, do not panic and hang up immediately. Then contact the prison authorities directly through your lawyer or during daylight hours on the official number to find out about the prisoner.

Your one awareness share may save the last of a helpless mother’s life. Know the incident and warn everyone you know.