DHAKA, Sept 3, 2026 (BSS) - The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested two alleged members of a fraud ring for allegedly embezzling around Tk 9 lakh by taking control of a victim's mobile phone through a phishing link disguised as a software update.

The CID Cyber Police Centre (CPC) arrested the two suspects in separate raids in Rangpur early today, according to a press release.

The arrestees were identified as Shaheed Al Imran Sourav, 36, and Md Sagar Hossain, 28.

Sourav was arrested from the Gomstapara area near DC Bungalow intersection around 1:15am, while Sagar was arrested from Hanumantala in the Chikli area around 2:35am.

The CID officials seized three cheque books of different banks, a Visa Platinum card, a Visa debit card, a Symphony feature phone and an Infinix smartphone from Sourav.

According to the case statement, the victim received a message on June 2 offering a software update.

After opening the message, the victim's phone allegedly started updating automatically and its display went blank. The victim was unable to regain control of the device for a prolonged period.

After the display became functional again, the victim received messages showing that money had been transferred from his bank account to various bank accounts and mobile financial service accounts.

A subsequent bank statement showed that a total of Tk 900,086 had been transferred.

A case was filed with Paltan Police Station on June 4 under the Cyber Security Act. Later, the CID Cyber Police Centre took over the investigation.

During the investigation, CID officials analysed banking data and gathered intelligence to identify those allegedly involved in the fraud.

A Cyber Investigation Team subsequently conducted raids in Rangpur and arrested the two suspects.

During preliminary interrogation, Sagar allegedly told investigators that he became involved with an international online fraud ring through Facebook and Telegram.

He allegedly collected and controlled bank accounts belonging to different individuals, withdrew money obtained through fraud and transferred the proceeds online to associates living abroad in exchange for commissions.

The CID said the preliminary investigation found evidence of the two suspects' involvement in the scam.

Efforts are underway to identify and arrest other members of the network, including its local and foreign associates, the CID said.