Honey trap gang still active in Sylhet, five arrested
The activities of so-called “honey trap” gangs continue unabated in Sylhet, with young men frequently falling victim to their schemes despite repeated warnings from law enforcement agencies.
One of the victims, Zillur Rahman (27), was allegedly lured into a trap, abducted, and assaulted on Monday (June 2). Acting on information, police from Airport Police Station rescued him and arrested five members of the gang, including two women.
The arrested individuals are: Mim Akhter Nahida (22), wife of Emran Khan of Kunipara; Millat (20), son of Nasir Mia of the same area; Shilpi Begum (40), mother of Millat; Emran Khan (24), son of Rafiq Mia of Kalapara under Shahparan Police Station; and Swapan Ahmed (23), son of Bilal Mia of the Surma Gate area under the same police station.
Sylhet Metropolitan Police (SMP) Media Officer and Additional Deputy Commissioner Md. Manjurul Alam said that Zillur Rahman became acquainted with Mim Akhter Nahida over the phone several days ago, and they remained in regular contact.
According to police, Mim Akhter invited Zillur to meet her on Monday evening. When he arrived near the entrance of Barabazar Lane on Electric Supply Road under Airport Police Station at around 8:30 pm, he was allegedly intercepted by Mim and her associates-Millat, Emran Khan, and Swapan Ahmed.
The group reportedly assaulted him, forcibly abducted him, and transported him to Kunipara in a CNG-powered auto-rickshaw.
At a house in Kunipara, Zillur was allegedly confined and subjected to further assault by Shilpi Begum and others. The suspects reportedly took Tk 8,000 from his pocket and demanded a ransom of Tk 50,000 from him.
Hearing the victim’s cries for help, local residents informed police through the national emergency service hotline 999.
A team from Airport Police Station immediately responded, rescued Zillur Rahman from the house, and arrested the accused.
Following a case filed by the victim, all five suspects were produced before a court and later sent to jail by order of the court.
Police sources said several similar “honey trap” gangs are believed to be operating in Sylhet. Although law enforcement agencies have arrested a number of suspects in previous operations, the criminal networks have not yet been fully dismantled.
The issue came under renewed scrutiny in April when police uncovered another alleged honey trap operation following complaints from the families of two victims.
According to investigators, on the night of April 9, two young men, Rifat and Mahfuz, were allegedly lured into a trap and taken to a rented apartment in the Jatarpur area of Shahjalal Upashahar.
There, members of the gang reportedly detained and tortured them, recorded compromising videos, and demanded Tk 1 million in ransom.
