Cox’s Bazar cyber fraud: 1,938 iPhones seized as 6 Chinese, Taiwanese nationals arrested in Cox’s Bazar
Police allege organized cyber fraud network may involve 250-300 foreign nationals; computer lab, soundproof rooms found at resort
COX’S BAZAR, Sept 5 — Police have arrested five Chinese nationals and one Taiwanese national in Cox’s Bazar over their alleged involvement in an organized online gambling and financial fraud operation, seizing 1,938 iPhones and a large quantity of computer equipment.
The six were arrested during a raid on Hotel Sea Palace in Cox’s Bazar town on Thursday night, Additional Superintendent of Police Md Ahidur Rahman said.
The arrests followed information provided by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police in connection with a complaint filed with Ramu Police Station, he said.
The arrestees are Taiwanese national Wei Ching Wen and Chinese nationals Xu Yangfan, Yan Changsheng, Xu Hajyang, Wu Jianxiong and Zhang Zheming.
Police have filed a case against them on charges related to alleged cyber fraud and cybercrime. The case also names 250-300 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals as unidentified accused, according to the complaint.
‘Computer lab’ at resort
According to the police complaint, around 250-300 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals had been staying at several properties in Cox’s Bazar, including Marina Beach Villas Resort in Himchhari, Dream Holiday Resort, Orchid Blue and a residential building known as Elias Brothers in Inani, Ukhiya.
Police alleged that a large hall at Marina Beach Villas Resort had been converted into a computer lab, while six soundproof rooms were constructed to conduct the activities secretly.
A police team raided the resort on Aug. 25. According to the complaint, those staying there fled through an open beach area behind the resort as police approached.
Investigators later seized 1,938 older-model iPhones, 50 monitors, 44 CPUs, 30 keyboards, two laptops, two printers, an IPS unit, 24 connection boards and other electronic equipment.
Alleged online fraud scheme
The Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime unit’s preliminary investigation found that the group was allegedly involved in organised online financial fraud, police said.
According to the complaint, the alleged scheme involved fabricated market analysis, deceptive inducements and deposits through cloned or fake trading platforms, followed by the alleged misappropriation of funds.
Police have recommended forensic examination of the seized electronic devices and other evidence as part of the investigation.
Questions over visas, business claims
Police said a Chinese national named Zhan Yuan Fan, who allegedly used the name “Babar Ali,” rented the resorts.
Pai Leding reportedly signed rental agreements with the property owners, while Wu Zhiping allegedly identified himself as the owner of Jin Xin Construction Company and told police he was setting up a construction company in Bangladesh.
However, investigators said they found no evidence that such a company had been established.
Police also said the foreign nationals failed to provide satisfactory information about the legality of their stay in Bangladesh, their visas and the purpose of their activities.
According to investigators, the group members entered Bangladesh at different times on visas on arrival.
Six sent to jail
Ramu Police Station Officer-in-Charge AK Fazlul Haque said the six arrested suspects were produced before a Cox’s Bazar court on Friday afternoon.
The court sent them to jail, he said.
Police are continuing efforts to identify and arrest the other suspects named in the case, Haque said.
