Six foreigners held with 2,000 iPhones, 75 laptops face CID questioning

Six foreign nationals arrested with nearly 2,000 iPhones and 75 laptops in Cox’s Bazar were produced before a court on Monday as investigators widened a probe into suspected online fraud and cybercrime.

The six were brought to the Cox’s Bazar court premises around 9 am and produced before Senior Judicial Magistrate SM Gias Uddin at about 10:30 am.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which has taken over the case, may seek their remand for questioning as it tries to determine why the group possessed such a large number of electronic devices and how they were being used.

Police arrested the six during a raid on a hotel in Cox’s Bazar town on September 9. Nearly 2,000 iPhones, 75 laptops and a large number of other electronic devices were seized during the operation, according to police.

A case was subsequently filed with Ramu Police Station over allegations of online fraud and cybercrime.

Ramu police initially investigated the case before it was transferred to the CID for further investigation.

Investigators are now examining the seized devices and the suspects’ online activities and communications to determine whether the equipment was used for fraud or other cyber offences, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

The CID is also seeking information about possible associates and the suspects’ communication networks.

Investigators believe questioning the six in custody could help establish the origin and intended use of the devices and identify any other people involved, the sources said.

The CID may therefore seek remand, although any custodial interrogation will require approval from the court.