Man impersonating IGP for ‘illegal benefits’ arrested in Dhaka

Man impersonating IGP for ‘illegal benefits’ arrested in Dhaka

Criminal Investigation Department arrested a man on charge of threatening people for "illegal benefits", by impersonating the Inspector General of Police using the police chief's name and photos on caller ID apps.

Arif Mainuddin (43) was involved in fraudulent activities under the guise of a matchmaker's office in Dhaka's Zigatola, Imam Hossain, additional deputy inspector general of CID, told a press briefing at its headquarters today.

A CID team arrested him yesterday upon receiving complaints.

The CID officials said Arif first collected a SIM card, registered against the NID of his employee, and opened a Gmail account. He created accounts with apps like Truecaller, Eyecon, WhatsApp -- using the name, designation and photos of IGP Benazir Ahmed.

Posing as the IGP, Arif recently called officials of several banks and demanded financial and other illegal benefits, Imam said.

A graduate in Computer Science and Engineering, the arrestee started the scam after he lost his job at a private bank.

"We are suspecting that he has more SIM cards registered against others' NID -- that he used for impersonating top government officials," the CID official said.

He asked people to contact police in case they receive such calls.

A case was filed with Hazaribagh Police Station under Digital Security Act in this regard.