Jumbangla Desk: 4 youths of the same village paid 150,000 taka and gave 6 lakh taka to the Italian diaspora token to go to Italy with little money. Salary will be good, life will be better. Italy will be reached by water for 3 hours only with little difficulty and risking life. Details from Dhaka Post report-

With such an assurance, Tokon, the son of Bajlur Rahman of Shaldah village of Gangni upazila, a member of the human trafficking ring, extorted about 96 lakh taka from 4 youths of Shaldah village of Gangni upazila of Meherpur.

It is known that Token showed fake visas and brutally tortured 4 young men by detaining them in a solitary cell for about four months on June 30 in Libya. By showing this torture in video call, they took about 96 lakh taka from the family of 4 youths. Such a complaint of the four youths who were cheated.

The four victims spoke on mobile phone with Swapan Ali, son of Khabir Uddin of Saldah area of ​​Gangni Upazila, Kamruzzaman son of Yusub Ali, Samiullah son of Khalilur Rahman and Rafiqul Islam, son of deceased Anwar Hossain of Baraggni village of neighboring Alamdanga Upazila.

They said they were kept and tortured in a godown in a remote part of the uninhabited mountains of Libya. The images of the torture were shown to the family members in video calls and money was collected in stages. The victim 4 families sold the goods to save their lives and took loans from NGOs and gave money to the human trafficker Token's family.

Token, an Italian expatriate, was in Sudan 10/12 years ago. Later went to Libya from there. From there he risked his life and crossed to Italy by water.

Victims Swapan and Kamruzzaman said that they will be delivered to Italy without any trouble, Tk. 6 lakh was handed over to Token's brother Anwar Hossain Anu's son Akash. After putting in the passport, they issue a visa to Italy, and at the same time cancel the flight ticket.

On June 30, Hazrat Shahjalal took them to the International Airport for Italy. From Bangladesh first to Chennai in India, then to Dubai via Sri Lanka. Stayed 3 days in a hotel in Dubai. Then it was taken to Libya through Egypt. Libya dropped us off at a local airport. From there, a 4-day journey by car was taken to a hilly area called Tripura. Takes us to a godown on a deserted hill. 50/60 more people like us are staying in that godown. I came to know that we have been cheated.

Swapan Ali, the victim, said, I was deceived by the temptation. If I didn't understand earlier, then I wouldn't have stepped into this trap. Vaiste Akash took 24 lakh 25 thousand rupees from me. I want my money back, and justice for this scam.

Another victim, Kamruzzaman, said that three youths, including me, fell into the trap of token fraud. Someone took money with interest, someone took a loan from an NGO and handed over 96 lakhs to these fraudsters. Now Italy is not able to take it, nor is it returning the money.

On investigation, it is known that the main partner of Token is Ohidur Rahman of Kamardanga village of Alfadanga upazila of Faridpur. He is known as Rahman in his area. Another member of this circle is Tauhidul Islam of Faridpur.

The victims said a large ring was operating to take the water to Italy. They have people at various stages from the airport. As soon as they reached the airport, their people fixed everything.

Helal Uddin, the Gangni area coordinator of the international organization "The Hunger Project Bangladesh", said that hundreds of young people in the area are being cheated again and again due to greed. In this case, awareness should be increased among people. However, the administration should take necessary steps when the issues are noticed.

He was not found when he went to Token's house to find out about this. As soon as the four young men returned home , his wife ran away to her father's house. However, Token's mother, Shahida Khatun, is spoken to. He said, this house is mine. My son took those four youths. They were forcibly returned from Libya. They have written to us before returning that they will not take any legal action.

Another accused, Token's nephew, Aakash has been accused. Meanwhile, the 4 youths who were cheated are preparing for the court case.

Gangni Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Bani Israel said that the police are investigating several cases filed in the court in such incidents. Besides, every case has been thoroughly investigated and filed in the court. Many have been arrested. If the unemployed youth are aware, they can save themselves from these fraudsters. There is no substitute for awareness.

Industrial production is at the bottom due to investment crisis in the country