Three employees of an Islami Bank agent banking outlet allegedly lost Tk7-8 lakh in online gambling and then misappropriated customers’ money to cover their losses. They later plotted to rob Tk34 lakh belonging to the outlet’s owner and staged a robbery by having a colleague beaten.
Police arrested six people in connection with the incident and recovered Tk1.42 lakh of the looted money, a motorcycle and seven mobile phones.
Naogaon Superintendent of Police Tarikul Islam disclosed the details at a press briefing at his office around 12:30pm on Friday.
The arrested suspects are Swapan, 28, and Hasan Ali, 25, of Bishia village in Raninagar; Islami Bank agent banking officials Sujon, 27, and Abu Taleb, 22; office assistant Russell Babu, 22; and motorcycle owner Rabbi Ali.
According to the SP, agent banking cashier Nazmul and office assistant Russell Babu were carrying Tk34 lakh from Adim Dighirail to the Abadpukur Bazar outlet by motorcycle around noon on October 6.
Around 1pm, a motorcycle intercepted them in front of a Banglalink tower after they crossed Parail Bazar in Raninagar. The attackers allegedly beat them with iron rods and fled with the money.
Police launched an investigation immediately and, using information technology analysis and other intelligence, seized the unregistered motorcycle allegedly used in the robbery and arrested its owner, Rabbi Ali, that night.
Police later arrested Swapan and Hasan Ali in Dinajpur’s Nawabganj on October 7. Based on their information, Sujon, Abu Taleb and Russell Babu were arrested in Raninagar the following day.
During preliminary interrogation, police found that Russell, Sujon and Abu Taleb had been gambling online for several months and lost Tk7-8 lakh. They allegedly withheld customers’ money and used it for gambling.
To cover the losses, they allegedly planned to rob Tk34 lakh belonging to agent banking owner Firoz Hossain. They spent about a month planning the robbery with Swapan, Hasan and others.
As planned, Russell accompanied Nazmul to collect the money and kept the other suspects informed of their location. Once they reached the designated spot, Swapan, Hasan and others allegedly intercepted them, beat them and fled with the money.
Police said Nazmul was the actual victim, while Russell staged the incident and portrayed himself as a victim.
Of the Tk34 lakh, the three agent banking employees were allegedly due to receive Tk10 lakh, while the remaining money was to be divided among the other participants. Swapan and Hasan were initially given Tk1.5 lakh before fleeing to Dinajpur via Joypurhat.
A case has been filed against the accused, who will be sent to jail through court, police said.
