An online platform collecting anonymous complaints of extortion has received 400 reports from across the country in three days, with the total amount allegedly demanded reaching Tk9.5 crore.
Data compiled by Chandabd.com, an online public ledger for anonymous extortion complaints, show that Dhaka Division accounted for the largest share of both complaints and the reported amount.
According to a statement issued by the platform on Saturday, 165 complaints from Dhaka involved alleged demands of around Tk6 crore, about 63% of the total reported amount.
Chittagong recorded the second-highest number of complaints, with 74 reports involving around Tk40.17 lakh. Rajshahi had 38 complaints involving about Tk1.06 crore, while Rangpur recorded 31 complaints involving around Tk89.13 lakh.
Among the other divisions, Barisal recorded 25 complaints involving Tk3.84 lakh, Khulna 24 involving Tk25.42 lakh, Mymensingh 20 involving Tk12.64 lakh and Sylhet 12 involving Tk28.57 lakh.
The data show a significant disparity between the number of complaints and the amount allegedly demanded. While Chattogram had nearly twice as many complaints as Rajshahi, the amount reported in Rajshahi was more than twice as high.
The platform has also introduced an “Extortion Map”, allowing users to view complaints by division, district and upazila or police station. The map displays reported amounts and details such as the location, type of incident, outcome and a brief description.
Complaints from the same or nearby locations are grouped together, while users can zoom in and filter reports by administrative area. Google Maps links have also been added to published complaints.
The platform said approximate locations are shown where exact addresses are unavailable and should not be treated as verified incident sites.
No account or personal information is required to submit a complaint. Users can provide details of the incident and attach photographs as evidence.
Visitors can mark complaints as “correct” or “not correct”. Around 5000 “correct” reactions had been recorded by the time of the statement, although such reactions do not independently verify the allegations.
The platform said more than 550 complaint-related emails had been sent to district commissioners, police superintendents, legal aid offices and other relevant authorities.
However, the complaints are anonymous user submissions and have not been verified by courts, investigative agencies or independent fact-checkers. While submissions are screened for personal information, offensive language and policy violations, their authenticity requires independent investigation by the relevant authorities.