Three Arrested for Fraud Using Fake BRTA Website
CID has arrested three members of a fraud ring accused of using a fake BRTA website to steal banking information and embezzle money through phishing scams involving fake traffic fines.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police has arrested three individuals accused of operating a fraudulent scheme by creating a fake website resembling that of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and collecting banking information from victims in the name of traffic fine payments.
The arrested individuals are Md. Rabbi Sheikh, 24, Md. Riyad Hossain, 31, and Md. Sajjad Hossain, 31. They were arrested on June 15 during separate operations conducted by the Cyber Police Center of CID in Khulna, Feni and Dhaka’s Dakshinkhan area based on intelligence information and technical investigations.
The information was disclosed by CID Cyber Police Center Deputy Inspector General Sana Shaminur Rahman at a press conference held at the CID headquarters in Malibagh on June 16.
According to CID, after the Dhaka Metropolitan Police introduced traffic case detection through artificial intelligence-based cameras, the fraud ring began exploiting public awareness of the system. The group sent text messages to mobile phone users claiming that their vehicles had violated traffic signals and that legal action would be taken if fines were not paid.
The messages contained links directing victims to a fake website designed to look like the official BRTA website. Victims were then asked to provide bank card details, bank account information and one-time passwords for fine payment processing. The fraudsters also offered a 50 percent discount for quick payment to persuade victims to submit their information.
CID said the suspects transferred money from victims’ bank accounts after obtaining their OTPs. The three accused allegedly embezzled a total of 725,600 taka from multiple victims through the scheme.
Investigators cited one case in which a victim received a text message claiming that his office vehicle had been fined 3,000 taka for violating traffic regulations. The message stated that the amount would be reduced to 1,500 taka if paid within 48 hours. Believing the message to be genuine, the victim entered his wife’s credit card information, banking application login credentials and OTP into the fake payment portal. Shortly afterward, he discovered that 300,000 taka had been transferred from his wife’s bank account to another account.
Following two additional complaints of a similar nature, the Cyber Police Center launched an investigation and uncovered the fraud network. The investigation found that the group used phishing links to collect banking credentials and steal money from victims.
Sana Shaminur Rahman said a case has been filed under the Cyber Security Act at Uttara West Police Station. He also clarified that no SMS notifications have so far been issued regarding traffic cases detected through the AI camera system of Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Instead, official notices are being sent manually to vehicle owners’ addresses. Traffic fines are currently being collected only through UCB Bank and Community Bank following the prescribed procedure.
CID has urged the public not to share banking information, card numbers or OTPs in response to SMS messages, phone calls or online requests claiming to be related to traffic fines. The agency also advised citizens to avoid entering personal information on suspicious websites.
//DBTech/JNO/MUIM//
