Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has frozen 13 bank accounts linked to an individual accused of impersonating former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s voice to extort money.
The accused, Motalles Hossain, reportedly used a cloned version of the BNP leader’s voice and falsely claimed to be her liaison officer in order to deceive and extort individuals.
According to a press release issued on Thursday by CID’s Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan, the accounts, held by Motalles and his associated individuals and entities, were frozen by court order. A total of Tk 5,03,33,782 has been temporarily seized from the accounts.
CID officials said that during the investigation, financial reports and documents revealed suspicious transactions amounting to approximately Tk 26.84 crore across the accounts of Motalles and his associated firms.
The agency suspects links to money laundering and illicit asset accumulation and is currently reviewing his immovable properties and financial activities as part of a broader inquiry.
Additionally, CID is actively collecting information from victims of the scam and working to identify other individuals who may be part of the organised fraud ring.
