Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested Lion M K Khairul Bashar Bahar, the head of BSB Global Network, for allegedly defrauding hundreds of students and parents of crores of taka by promising opportunities for higher education abroad.

A team from the CID’s Financial Crime Unit detained him on Monday afternoon in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area. 

The operation was led by Special Superintendent of Police Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad.

According to initial CID findings, Khairul Bashar, along with his wife Khandaker Selima Rowshan and son Arsh Ibn Bashar, ran an organised racket that operated from 2018 to 2024. The group reportedly collected large sums of money from students by offering attractive advertisements, fake visa processing, and false claims of representing foreign universities.

Investigators said that in many cases no applications were ever submitted to institutions abroad, while some students who travelled overseas faced severe difficulties due to the fraud.

So far, evidence has been found showing that at least 448 victims were defrauded of several crores of taka. However, officials believe the actual number of affected students may be even higher. Many victims have already filed cases at different police stations across the country, including in Gulshan, accusing the group of fraud and forgery.

The investigation also revealed that the money collected was withdrawn through multiple bank accounts, used to purchase properties, fund businesses, and transferred or laundered illegally.

The CID stated that efforts are continuing to identify all victims and recover the embezzled funds.

MSK/