Police have arrested 10 individuals accused of producing fake advertisements using the names and identities of prominent public figures, including Islamic speaker Mizanur Rahman Azhari, to promote and sell illegal aphrodisiac drugs.
The arrests were confirmed on Saturday by Dhaka Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner (Media) NM Nasiruddin. The suspects were detained during coordinated raids conducted on Thursday night in the Sher Shah Colony area under Bayezid Bostami Police Station in Chittagong and in Chandrima Model Town under Mohammadpur in Dhaka on Friday night.
The arrested individuals are: Md Sarafat Hossain (21), Safayet Hossain Shuvo (21), Tawqi Tajwar Ilham (19), Takibul Hasan (21), Abdullah Al Fahim (22), Minhajur Rahman Shahed (19), Shahaman Tawfiq (21), Imon Hossain Bijoy (21), Amid Hasan (21), and Md Imran (24).
During the operation, members of police recovered 11 laptops, 47 smartphones, two pen drives, 21 SIM cards, and a large quantity of illegal aphrodisiac drugs.
According to sources at Paltan Model Police Station, the case came to light on February 15 after Dr Azhari discovered fake videos circulating on social media. He later issued a public warning through his verified Facebook page, and filed a General Diary (GD) on February 25.
Investigators said the group had been producing and distributing fabricated promotional videos on platforms such as Facebook, falsely portraying Dr Azhari as endorsing various herbal and medicinal products.
Police further alleged that the syndicate used artificial intelligence tools to mimic his voice and likeness, misleading the public for financial gain while also damaging his personal, familial, and professional reputation.