American expat accused of harassment in Lohagara posing as Navy Officer

Lohagara (Chattogram) Correspondent:

An American expatriate has been accused of harassing and intimidating locals in Lohagara upazila of Chattogram under the false identity of a Navy officer.

The allegations were brought forward by day laborer Anwar Hossain during a press conference held on Monday, June 30, in the Munshipara area of Ward No. 3 under Sadar Union. Speaking on behalf of several residents, Anwar submitted a written statement detailing the harassment.

The accused, Shamsuddin Ashraf, is a US-based expatriate and a local resident, son of the late Md. Ayub. Anwar Hossain claimed that Shamsuddin and his sister Khairunechcha have been creating panic in the area by continuously filing false cases and general diaries (GDs) against multiple families.

“We are ordinary villagers who have lived here peacefully for generations,” Anwar said. “But now, Shamsuddin and his sister are targeting us over trivial matters, filing fabricated cases, verbally abusing us, and involving outsiders to threaten us.”

He added that more than four false cases have been filed against Md. Iqbal and his family, including his mother, sister, and aunt. Other families allegedly harassed include those of expatriates Zahed and Farhad, locals Minhaj and Abul Hossain, as well as day laborers like Rubel and Anwar himself.

Residents also alleged that Shamsuddin, identifying himself as a Navy officer, installed CCTV cameras around his home, including in areas overlooking neighbors’ residences. These cameras reportedly recorded the movements of women and girls, and the footage was sent to individuals’ phones from abroad, raising serious privacy and security concerns.

The affected families have appealed to the local administration to take immediate action and ensure their safety.