Fraudsters impersonate Whip Bakul’s voice and identity using AI
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A fraud ring has allegedly used artificial intelligence (AI) technology to contact a businessman in Khulna through WhatsApp while impersonating the identity of National Parliament Whip Rakibul Islam Bakul and swindle Tk 3.5 crore from him.
Businessman G M Azizur Rahman filed a case at Khulna Sadar Police Station on September 18 over the incident. Eajaz Ahmed Raja, 46, and Sheikh Mahabubur Rahman Mamun (49), along with five to six unidentified people, have been named as accused in the case. Khulna Sadar Police Station OC Md Lokman Hossain confirmed the filing of the case.
According to the case statement, the plaintiff’s elder brother G M Mofizur Rahman Tiku, who lives in the United States, was contacted on WhatsApp by a man named Arif. Arif told him that Whip Bakul wanted to speak to him.
Later, a person contacted him through WhatsApp from the number +1 (929) 223 3427. The person introduced himself as Bakul Sahib and spoke with G M Mofizur Rahman.
The case statement said that the person discussed the buying and selling of old machinery from Platinum Jute Mill with him on the night of July 29. At one point, when asked about clearing the payment, the plaintiff’s side agreed. They were then told that a person named Sheikh Mahabubur Rahman Mamun would meet them the following morning.
Later, between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm on July 29, Sheikh Mahabubur Rahman Mamun was supposed to go to the office of Alfi Trade International at 25 Sir Iqbal Road under Khulna Sadar Police Station. However, Eajaz Ahmed Raja and another person went there instead.
At that time, Tk 2 crore in cash was allegedly handed over to them as payment for purchasing old machinery from Platinum Jute Mill, according to the case statement.
Later, the same WhatsApp number contacted them again and offered to sell Hardmill Jute Mill. When they expressed interest in visiting the mill, they were given the number of Advocate Mohammad Ali Babu.
Azizur Rahman visited Platinum Jute Mill through him on July 30. Later, after expressing interest in the mill’s old machinery, Tk 1.5 crore was allegedly given to Eajaz Ahmed Raja and the person accompanying him on August 2, according to the case statement.
After paying a total of Tk 3.5 crore, the alleged business activities were not carried out. The plaintiff’s side continued to contact the WhatsApp number.
At one point, G M Azizur Rahman met Whip Rakibul Islam Bakul in person on September 1 on the occasion of the founding anniversary of the BNP. Bakul then told him that he knew nothing about the matter.
The case statement further alleged that after collecting information from various sources and reviewing the mobile numbers used in the incident, the plaintiff learned that the fraudsters had used AI technology to alter their voices and impersonate another person’s identity while using WhatsApp to commit the fraud.
Khulna Sadar Police Station OC Md Lokman Hossain said, “A case has been filed in this incident. The matter is under investigation. Efforts are underway to arrest the accused.”
