Instagram influencer Sumaiya arrested for selling explicit content online

Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch (DB) arrested Instagram influencer Sumaiya Saeed, 25, from a flat in the capital's Bashundhara Residential Area on the night of August 11 for allegedly producing, promoting and selling pornographic content online. 

The DB's Cyber and Special Crime (South) Division also arrested her alleged main associate, Khaja Saklain Faruk, in connection with the case.

According to DB sources, officers spotted objectionable content and advertisements for its sale on Sumaiya's personal Instagram account and Telegram channel during routine cyber monitoring on August 10.

Police allege that the accused sold obscene photos and videos to customers for fixed fees through mobile financial services such as bKash and Nagad. 

They also found an advertisement offering a “lifetime package” for 3,500 taka.

After confirming Sumaiya's location using information technology, a DB team raided the flat and arrested her. Police also seized an iPhone 17 Pro Max and a OnePlus smartphone used by her.

Based on information obtained from Sumaiya, police later arrested Faruk from an establishment called Dhaka Popular Travels in the capital's Badda area.

Father also named as accused

During preliminary questioning, police learned that Sumaiya had allegedly been operating the network with several associates for a long time, DB officials said.

Investigators also alleged that Sumaiya's father, Md Abu Saeed, knew about her activities but did not try to stop them and allegedly received money generated from the operation. Police have therefore named him as an accused in the case.

A case has been filed with Ramna Model Police Station under relevant sections of the Pornography Control Act, 2012.

Police have sought a three-day remand for the accused from the court to uncover further details of the operation and arrest other associates who remain at large.