A transnational gang is abducting Bangladeshi workers for ransom in countries in the Middle East, deceiving them with false promises of lucrative jobs in Europe.
It came to light after a case was filed against six of the gang members in Dhaka. They took ransom from the family members of Aminul Islam, 30, of Rajshahi, who with six others has been held hostage in Pakistan.
The gang is now threatening Aminul’s family with dire consequences unless the case is withdrawn.
The Detective Branch of police is now investigating the case.
Mohammad Faisal from Nawabganj, who was taken hostage with 29 more Bangladeshis by the gang in Pakistan, gave an account of his ordeal. He returned home two weeks ago after they were released paying ransom to the gang.
Aminul told his wife Nilufar Nahar over the phone on Tuesday that the gang was threatening him with death.
Nilufar, kept at the Victim Support Centre of the Tejgaon Police Station, yesterday said his husband went to Dubai for work two and a half years ago. In October last year, Aminul told her that he got an offer for a better job in Italy.
He called Nilufar a few days later and said he was held hostage in Iran and the abductors wanted a ransom of Tk 1 lakh for his release.
Aminul gave her the mobile phone number of a Bangladeshi, Kamal, in Dhaka and told her to deposit the money with his bank account.
“We deposited Tk 95,000 with an account number as told by Kamal on November 19,” said Nilufar.
Kamal’s phone was found switched off since then. A month later, a person named Faruk called her and said the gang wanted Tk 1 lakh more for her husband’s release.
Aminul also told her about the gang’s demand over the phone.
Nilufar said they sold all their belongings to pay the ransom and deposited it with the bank account of Osman Haider, a member of the gang in Iran.
“My husband along with a few others was then taken to Pakistan. A few days later, Aminul called me and said the gang would not release him unless they are paid Tk 2 lakh more,” Nilufar said.
They sold their house and deposited Tk 2 lakh on March 7 with the bank account of Kabir, a gang member in Pakistan.
One of Nilufar’s relatives later suggested her to contact Winrock International, an organisation working to combat human trafficking.
“We came to Dhaka, told police everything and filed the case,” she said,
Nilufar said a gang member on Tuesday asked her over the phone to withdraw the case if she wants to get her husband released.
An official of DB police said they arrested six people and are now investigating the case.
Meanwhile, Faisal, who used to work in Dubai, said the gang members took him along with nine others to Pakistan via Oman and Iran promising them lucrative jobs in Greece.
They along with 27 others were held hostage in Pakistan. Later, 30 of them were released after paying ransom to the gang.
“Ten of us paid Tk 1.52 lakh each for our release,” he said.
The gang members are from Bangladesh, Oman, Iran, Turkey and Pakistan, he added.
Categories: Bangla, Bangladesh, Bangladesh Economy, Bangladesh News, Daily Bangladesh News, Economy, News
