Dubai-Dhaka Gold Syndicate Behind Billion-Taka Gambling and Hundi Operations: 5 Arrested, Mafia Rule Behind the Scenes.

Abdur Rahim:

Under the cover of Dubai-based gold trading and live gold rates, a massive international online gambling and illegal hundi syndicate worth billions of taka has been operating in Bangladesh for a long time. Without opening conventional offices or business establishments, this illegal business has been conducted from residential flats using technologically advanced computers and laptops. As a result, the country's young generation is getting involved and losing everything.

Although it remained hidden from public view for a long time, a recent joint investigation conducted by the country's leading investigative media outlets "The Finance Today" and "Daily Bartoman Din" has exposed this syndicate. As a continuation of that investigation, Sabujbagh Police Station under DMP conducted a special operation on Wednesday night (24 June) and arrested 5 active members of the gang, including its main agent. Among those arrested, 4 are women who are Honors and Master's students at various educational institutions in the country.

According to sources, at 10:10 PM last night, police first arrested 4 female members of the syndicate during a raid at a flat on the 8th floor of Green Bangla Parul Palace, 109/1/G, near Patowari Goli in East Basabo. Later, based on information provided by them, the main local agent of the syndicate was arrested in front of Swapno Super Shop in South Basabo. The detainees are Mumu (24), Rajoni Akter (26), Ipshikun Nahar Brishti (23), and Rabeya Bosri (29), along with the only male member, Muhammad Arifur Rahman (33).

Based on information obtained from reliable sources, rumors had spread that the detainees would be released after reaching a settlement worth 10 million taka with this highly influential syndicate. However, unexpectedly, senior journalists from The Finance Today, Daily Bartoman Din, and The Investor closely monitored every aspect of the operation, causing that plan to fail. The tense situation throughout the day came to an end when the accused were taken to court, removing the cloud of concern.

Meanwhile, today, Thursday (25 June), the arrested accused were produced before the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court. The learned Metropolitan Magistrate reviewed the case documents signed by the Officer-in-Charge of Sabujbagh Police Station and the seized evidence, rejected the bail applications of the accused, and granted a 2-day remand for interrogation.

Gambling and Hundi Operations Behind Live Gold Rates
The investigation revealed that the gang had been operating this syndicate for a long time under a gold trading license in the Deira Dubai area of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. To gain the trust of ordinary people in Bangladesh, the primary name they used was "New Bashundhara Jewellery Trading CO. L.L.C", whose official website domain is https://bashundharagold.net. Several other names have also been identified, which are not being disclosed at this moment in the interest of the investigation.

The gang collects money from online gamblers through banking channels and cash transactions and transfers the collected funds directly to Dubai-based mafias through illegal hundi. After the money reaches Dubai, an equivalent amount of "dollars" is credited to users' accounts on their online gambling portal. For gamblers, this is a completely fake betting system where there is no real opportunity to win. Through this method, crores of taka are being laundered abroad from Bangladesh every year.

List of Dubai and Dhaka-Based Mafia Figures Behind the Scenes
The investigation has revealed that several highly influential mafia figures from Feni and Dhaka are behind this syndicate, operating the entire network from Dubai and Dhaka. Among them, Ziaul Haque Tushar (Zia) has emerged as the principal mastermind. He controls the entire operation from Dubai. Following him is Kawsar Elahi, one of the leading mafias involved in Dubai-Bangladesh hundi operations. The name of another key associate has also been identified but is not being disclosed at this time in the interest of the investigation. One of the principal associates of the syndicate and the main collaborator in gambling and hundi operations in Bangladesh is Arifur Rahman, the fifth accused in this case.

Although Arifur Rahman was not initially caught during the raid, he later went to the police station to secure the release of the four arrested female members. Allegations have arisen that due to the presence of media personnel and investigative information, the police were compelled to show him as arrested in this case. Had the media not become immediately involved, this serious criminal incident might have been settled quietly overnight.

Subsequently, police filed a case under Section 20 of the Cyber Security Act, 2026, which is essentially a bailable provision.

List of Seized Evidence and Materials
During the operation led by the Officer-in-Charge of Sabujbagh Police Station, sensational information regarding the online platforms used by the syndicate, laptop computers, mobile phones used in the crimes, and several important screenshots including WhatsApp Web login QR codes were seized as evidence.

Legal Battle by the Defense in Court
When the accused were produced before the court today, defense lawyers fought strongly for their bail. During the hearing, the lawyers argued that Section 20 of the Cyber Security Act, 2026 is essentially a bailable provision. Furthermore, they claimed that this was not an illegal gambling operation but rather an "outsourcing" or freelancing organization. Accused No. 5, Arifur Rahman, has reportedly been involved in the outsourcing business for a long time. Similar to developed countries, unemployed youths in Bangladesh were allegedly being provided with employment opportunities.

The lawyers further claimed that the four arrested women were merely salaried employees who worked five days a week during designated office hours. However, video footage obtained by the media showed that the four women were also staying overnight there, which disproved the lawyers' claims.

Investigation Continues
Police are currently investigating the case through their own procedures. Simultaneously, as members of the media, we are also conducting an in-depth investigation into this mafia syndicate. Very soon, the remaining members of the syndicate will be exposed along with irrefutable evidence. Certain sensitive matters are not being disclosed at this moment in the interest of the investigation. We hope that through extensive interrogation of these accused on remand, it will be possible to fully expose the identities of the main hundi mafias in Dubai and Bangladesh and determine how far the roots of this international criminal network extend.