Alarming rise in cybercrime on social media

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Following the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as Bangladesh has been witnessing countrywide sudden anarchism of several Islamist and militancy outfits under direct patronization of Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), several anti-India individuals, lapdogs of Pakistani spy agency ISI, as well as members of individuals connected to notorious militancy outfit such as Hizb Ut Tahrir and Neo-JMB have intensified propaganda on social media targeting secularist and pro-Bangladesh journalists and newspaper editors, while such notoriety are yet to catch attention of country’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Several posts on social media were detected by the journalists of this newspaper, where terrorists and individuals with alleged militancy connection are seen posting offensive and derogatory statements, which fall under the existing Cyber Crime Act of the country.

According to information, a youth named Sajal Mahmud Ony, who was previously charged for abducting an Indian national named Sonjib Saha along side serious of criminal allegations, including kidnapping, extortion, snatching, robbery and theft along with his younger brother Shamol Mahmood Anjan, an student of Malaysia’s LimKokWing University, which against is accused of breeding jihadists and racists have been publishing posts on their Facebook IDs targeting internationally acclaimed multi-award winning anti militancy journalist and counterterrorism special, Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury. It is assumed that these youths are continuing this propaganda under instruction either from Hizb Ut Tahrir or Neo-JMB or both.

Sajal Mahmud Ony, on 25/05/2012 at gunpoint, abducted an Indian national named Sonjib Saha, took him to the 4th floor of their house, tortured and demanded a ransom. Later, police rescued Sonjib and a case was lodged against Ony (Case number: 4774(5)/1). However, because of their Jamaat influence and money, the case was later dropped suspiciously.

According to several vernacular news portals, Shamol Mahmood Anjan was accused of blackmailing a number of young girls.

The report further said, both Sajal Mahmud Ony and Shamol Mahmood Anjan are drug addicts.

As this newspaper drew attention of Bangladesh Police and its Cyber Crime Unit, an investigation has been initiated in this regard. It is anticipated that both the culprits will be charged under the Cyber Crime Act.

It may be mentioned here that the Cyber Crime Unit of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police has attained appreciation from cross section of the people for its efficient initiatives in combating cybercrime as well as nabbing the cyber-criminals.

Talking to this correspondent, a highly-placed source at DMP’s Cyber Crime Unit said, allegations brought against Sajal Mahmud Ony and his younger brother Shamol Mahmood Anjan fall under the existing cybercrime law of the country.

Meanwhile, a defamation suit against the above-mentioned youths are under process.

Anti-state propaganda by Shahana Rashid

Meanwhile, according to Bangladesh Police sources, a controversial woman in under investigation for posting anti-government video content on Facebook.

According to Blitz report, when the government, law enforcement and intelligence agencies of the country are tirelessly working in combating all sorts of anarchism centering recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Bangladesh to attend the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence and Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a number of anti-state individuals are spreading anti-state propaganda through various social media and video sharing network, with open call for waging jihad against the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Investigative reporters of Blitz has identified a Facebook post of an individual named Shahana Rashid, where she has posted a video statement of a controversial Islamist named Moulana Azhari, which contains extremely offensive remarks against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bangladesh visit, while hundreds of people have left comments in the same post, where some of them have called for waging jihad [against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government]. Such notoriety is taking place when the government has warned of dire actions for inciting violence.

Anti-government activities of Shahana Radhid

Following publication of the report, members of law enforcement agencies have initiated investigations into the matter.

Shahana Rashid posted the anti-government post on her Facebook ID on March 29. She had removed the post sometime during early hours of March 31, although by then, the matter has already been noticed by the members of law enforcement agencies, including the Cyber Crime Unit of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

According to sources, Shahana is the mother of Sajal Mahmud (Ony) and Shamol Mahmood (Anjan).

A source inside DMP told this correspondent, even if anyone deletes anti-government Facebook contents after several hours, the matter can be easily retrieved through forensic of the accused person’s mobile phone and computer. No one can escape legal consequences even if they delete such posts.

Shahana Rashid under investigation on allegations of money laundering

Meanwhile, authorities concerned have already started investigating allegations brought against Dhaka godmother Shahana Rashid alias Sanu for series of serious crimes including money laundering and funding terrorist entities. Such offense of Shahana falls under Money Laundering Prevention Act and Anti Terrorism Act.

According to Anti Corruption Commission (ACC): “Any person who commits or abets or conspires to commit the offence of money laundering, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of at least 4(four) years but not exceeding 12(twelve) years and, in addition to that, a fine equivalent to the twice of the value of the property involved in the offence”.

In February this year, a High Court bench observed that the punishment for money laundering should be enhanced from the existing 12 years’ imprisonment to life imprisonment considering the gravity of the offense.

The bench of Justice Md Nazrul Islam Talukder and Justice Mohi Uddin Shamim said: “Money laundering is a serious offence and its highest punishment of 12 years’ imprisonment under the Money Laundering Act is insufficient.

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