Bangladesh police arrest four in online gambling and crypto laundering ring

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh has arrested four members of an organized syndicate involved in operating online betting websites and laundering money abroad via cryptocurrency. The arrests took place during separate raids in the Khanjahan Ali and Khalishpur areas of Khulna on the night of September 2.

The suspects have been identified as Md. Rakibul Islam (30), Ariful Islam alias Arju (26), Sheikh Sakir Ahmed, and Mianul Islam alias Ayon (29).

According to investigators, the syndicate lured the public through advertisements on social media and various online platforms. Users were required to ‘top up’ their betting accounts using mobile financial services (MFS), bank accounts, or cryptocurrency. To evade detection, the group frequently changed the MFS agent numbers and bank accounts used for transactions.

After collecting funds through various agents across the country, the syndicate would transfer the money to different bank accounts after deducting commissions. The CID confirmed that the remaining funds were then converted into cryptocurrency through platforms such as Binance to be laundered abroad. A case has been filed at the Polton Police Station under the Gambling Prevention Act.