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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Crime & Justice

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From Daily Star · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • An internet service provider's office in Chattogram, Bangladesh, was vandalized and looted after the owner refused to pay Tk 2 crore in extortion money.
  • The attack was allegedly carried out by associates of David Emon, who is reportedly linked to a top gangster listed by Interpol.
  • The owner reported receiving threats via WhatsApp and phone calls demanding a large sum of money and monthly payments to continue his business.

An internet service provider's office in Chattogram, Bangladesh, was vandalized and looted after its owner refused to pay Tk 2 crore (approximately $17,000 USD) in extortion money. The attack on Digital Dot Net (DDN) and Exabyte offices occurred in the Bakalia Access Road area.

The incident was allegedly orchestrated by associates of Mobarak Hossain Emon, also known as David Emon. Emon is reportedly connected to Sazzad Ali, a prominent gangster listed by both Bangladesh Police and Interpol. The attackers looted laptops, mobile phones, cash, and other valuables from the premises.

If I wanted to continue my business, I would have to pay Tk 2 crore to his men, along with Tk 10 lakh every month.

— Adil Bin MamunThe owner of the vandalized internet service provider office recounted the extortion demand made by the caller identifying himself as David Imon.

Adil Bin Mamun, the owner of DDN, told The Daily Star that he received a WhatsApp call from a foreign number last Saturday. The caller, identifying himself as David Imon, threatened him, stating, "If I wanted to continue my business, I would have to pay Tk 2 crore to his men, along with Tk 10 lakh every month." The following day, another individual called from a Bangladeshi number to inquire about the payment. After Mamun refused, he received a message late Sunday night saying, "Wait and see."

I am David Emon. Ask the CMP commissioner about me. Show him my phone number. From now on, we will run the business. You will no longer do business.

— David EmonThe alleged extortionist, David Emon, directly threatened the business owner during a phone conversation.

During a phone conversation, Emon allegedly told Mamun, "I am David Emon. Ask the CMP commissioner about me. Show him my phone number. From now on, we will run the business. You will no longer do business." Emon also referenced an incident at the home of Smart Group owner Mujib, implying similar consequences if the demands were not met.

Md Robiul Hossain Rakib, DDN's head of sales, reported that approximately 30-35 masked men armed with sharp weapons stormed the office, vandalized property, and fled within minutes. Police have confirmed that a complaint has been filed. Emon is reportedly involved in at least seven criminal cases, including murder, and is considered a key figure leading criminal activities in Chattogram on behalf of fugitive gangster Boro Sazzad.

Wait and see.

— Unknown CallerA message received by the business owner after he refused to pay the extortion money.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Daily Star. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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