Couple arrested over Tk 4.54 crore Islami Bank card fraud
Police have arrested a man and his wife on allegations of embezzling Tk 4 crore 54 lakh 13 thousand through fraud by breaching the limit of an Islami Bank credit card. They are accused of siphoning off the money through a novel technique, using the NPSB network at various banks' booths.
They were arrested from Bogura after a continuous 36-hour operation. From their possession, police seized Tk 15 lakh in embezzled cash, seven ATM cards of various banks, three cheque books and two smartphones used in the crime.
Superintendent of Police Mohammad Tarikul Islam gave the information at a press conference held at the Naogaon superintendent of police's office on Saturday (14 November) noon.
The arrested are Md Shahidul Islam Ripon (37) of Akkelpur Madhyapara in Badalgachhi upazila of Naogaon, and his wife Maliha Tabachchum Nishi (28). Shahidul Islam was an investment client of Islami Bank's Naogaon branch.
At the press conference, the superintendent of police said that in 2015 Islami Bank's Naogaon branch issued a 'Khidmah credit card' with a limit of Tk 1 lakh in Shahidul Islam's name. Recently, using that card and the NPSB network at Pubali Bank ATM/CRM booths, he began making a series of unauthorised transfers from the bank account.
At first, less than Tk 1 lakh was transferred per transaction, but later the amount was raised to as much as Tk 2.5 lakh. In this way, through more than 420 transactions from June last year to 9 November this year, Tk 4 crore 54 lakh 13 thousand of Islami Bank's money was embezzled, police said.
The superintendent of police further said that after a complaint from the bank authorities, a case was filed at Naogaon Sadar Model Police Station. During the investigation, Shahidul and his wife were arrested after 36 hours of continuous raids at various places in Bogura Sadar.
Later, based on information they provided, Tk 15 lakh in cash, seven ATM cards and three cheque books hidden in a wooden almirah in their bedroom in Bogura were recovered.
Superintendent of Police Tarikul Islam said the arrested couple admitted during preliminary police interrogation that they were involved in the fraud. According to their information, a large part of the embezzled money — about Tk 1.5 crore — was used to buy land in Bogura. They lived a lavish life with the rest of the money.
He also said police investigations are continuing to determine whether any internal bank ring or anyone else was involved in the incident. Senior police officials were present at the press conference.
