CID arrests one in case over sending two youths to Italy on fake visas for Tk 40 lakh
Photo: Collected
According to the allegations, a human trafficking ring lured two young men with the promise of jobs and a better life in Italy, took Tk 40 lakh from them and then sent them to Italy on fake visas. An accused in the case filed over the incident has been arrested by the police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
The arrested man is Md Kamal Hossain, 47. He was arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 7pm yesterday (Sunday).
The information was disclosed in a press release signed by CID Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Md Chhufi Ullah on Monday.
Citing the case statement, the CID said members of the ring promised to send the two victims to Italy, luring them with the prospect of a better life and jobs there. A deal was struck at Tk 30 lakh per person. Under the deal, the two young men handed the accused Tk 20 lakh each, or Tk 40 lakh in total, on different occasions.
They were then given visas and air tickets for the journey to Italy. They left for Italy on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight on 26 May.
Fake Schengen visas detected at Rome’s Fiumicino
According to the press release, after the two young men landed at Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy, the immigration police there checked their documents: passports, tickets and visas. Although the passports were in order, the Italian Schengen visas attached to them were found to be fake. Italian immigration police then detained them.
After being held in detention, they were sent back home on 28 May. On returning to Bangladesh, the victims recounted the whole ordeal to the authorities concerned.
On 30 May, one of them filed a case with the capital’s Airport Police Station. It brings charges under the relevant section of the Human Trafficking and Migrant Prevention Ordinance and under several sections of the Penal Code relating to fraud, breach of trust and forgery.
Identified through intelligence, accused produced in court
According to the CID, Kamal Hossain was identified as being allegedly involved in the incident based on analysis of information and data found during the investigation and on intelligence. He was then arrested in a drive. The CID claims Kamal Hossain admitted to his involvement in human trafficking during preliminary interrogation.
Kamal Hossain has been produced in court. The CID said the investigation is continuing to identify the others involved, gather information on the money transactions and how it was shared, and verify other relevant information and data.
The press release also said legal action will be taken against those involved based on the evidence found in the investigation.
