Unbridled Tyranny of Gambling Syndicate: Impersonating Police, Investigative Journalist Threatened with Death!

On July 1, 2026, when contacted over the phone, he denied any involvement. Later, targeting the journalist, he made a return video call from his WhatsApp number, directly threatening physical assault and death.

A powerful syndicate is active behind the laundering of thousands of crores of Taka from the country through international online gambling sites mushrooming across Bangladesh. This network collects money from regular gamblers using Mobile Financial Service (MFS) merchant accounts and personal numbers, and launders it abroad through Hundi and cryptocurrency.

Recently, while investigating the illegal transactions of such a gambling syndicate, our investigative reporter Abdur Rahim faced severe threats, abusive language, and intimidation by a suspect impersonating a police officer.

Gambling under the Guise of Business

Investigations reveal that over two hundred highly discussed international betting sites, including 1xbet, Betwinner, and Mostbet, are using merchant or personal accounts of local small and large business enterprises as transaction gateways to keep their operations active in this country. One such suspected enterprise is 'M/s. Shourav Steel Corporation' in Bongshal, Old Dhaka. Several specific pieces of information and documents regarding gambling activities under the guise of this iron and steel business have come into the hands of the investigative team.

Analysis of Documents and Evidence:

For the sake of investigation, posing as a customer, contact was made on May 29, 2026, with the personal WhatsApp number (016*******3) used by Gourob Islam. In response, he confirmed his business identity by sending details of his business, holding address, and a photo of the visiting card of M/s. Shourav Steel Corporation.

Later, on June 14, 2026, a specific questionnaire was sent seeking his formal statement regarding his involvement with the gambling ring. Despite viewing the message, he did not provide any written reply. Calls were made on the following days, June 15 and June 17, but no communication could be established with the journalist.

Finally, on July 1, 2026 (Wednesday), in the interest of objective journalism, when a call was made to the accused's mobile phone at 1:39 PM, he verbally denied his involvement with gambling over the phone. Shortly after, at 2:17 PM (lasting 1 minute) and at 2:19 PM (lasting 5 minutes), a return video call targeting journalist Abdur Rahim was made from his WhatsApp number (016*******3).

Abusive Language and Threats via Video Call Impersonating Police

Immediately upon receiving the video call, Gourob Islam, without answering any questions, began hurling extremely offensive, obscene, and abusive language at the journalist and his colleagues. In addition to threatening to implicate the journalist in false cases and claiming to have already filed a General Diary (GD) with the police, he directly threatened physical assault and death.

In an attempt to evade the law and intimidate, he at one point identified himself as a "Sub-Inspector (SI) of Bongshal Police Station." However, the complete audio and video recordings of his impersonation of a police officer and his abusive rants are preserved as digital evidence in our repository.

GD Filed at Paltan Thana, Police Investigating

Following this incident, the victimized crime reporter Abdur Rahim filed a General Diary (GD) at Paltan Model Police Station for the sake of his safety. It is learned that after the filing of the GD, Paltan Model Police Station is examining the matter with utmost importance.

Law enforcement sources have stated that threatening a professional journalist and instilling fear by using a fake police identity are punishable offenses under the country's existing laws. Police are taking swift legal action to bring the accused to justice and trace the source of the illegal gambling network.

IT and legal experts believe that while such Hundi and gambling rings are severely damaging the country's economy, they are also disrupting the professional safety of investigative journalists. People associated with the media have demanded exemplary punishment by bringing the kingpins behind the gambling syndicate under the purview of the law.