Four nabbed in SSC fake question fraud

Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has arrested four members of an alleged fraud syndicate accused of deceiving students and guardians by offering fake leaked question papers for the ongoing Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinations.

The arrested are identified as Sifat Ahmed Sajib, Mohammad Salman, Mezbaul Alam Mahin and Mohammad Mohiuzzaman Munna.

Speaking at a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Minto Road on Saturday, CTTC Joint Commissioner Munshi Shahabuddin said the group had been collecting money from examinees and their families by falsely claiming to supply authentic examination question papers.

He said the CTTC’s Online and Intelligence Analysis Division first traced a Facebook page named “SSC 2026 Question Paper First Group” on April 20 during routine cyber monitoring.

Using digital surveillance and intelligence tools, CTTC members carried out an investigation in the Tajpur area of Ashulia that night and arrested Sajib at around 8:30pm.

Following information obtained from him and subsequent intelligence analysis, Salman was arrested from Dhunat in Bogura on April 23, while Mahin was detained the same day from Dadonpur Malipara under Nawabganj in Dinajpur.

In another follow-up drive conducted on April 24, CTTC arrested Munna from the adjacent area of Shah Sharif Zindani (R) shrine under Naogaon union in Tarash, Sirajganj.

Munshi Shahabuddin said separate cases have been filed against the four accused and they are now being questioned on remand after a court granted police two days for further interrogation.

He said preliminary findings suggest the gang had been involved in this fraudulent operation for a considerable period.

“No similarity has been found between the genuine question papers of the ongoing examinations and the materials circulated by the group. Their main objective was to swindle money and create confusion surrounding the public examination system,” he said.

The CTTC official further said the seized mobile phones have been sent for forensic analysis to determine how long the racket had been operating and the amount of money extorted from victims.

A specialised CTTC investigation team is continuing the probe.