Cox’s Bazar, Sept. 06 (V7N) — Police detained six Chinese nationals from a hotel in Cox’s Bazar city on Thursday night and recovered 1,938 iPhones, 40 laptops and various communication devices from their possession.
Cox’s Bazar Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Operations) Ahidur Rahman said the six were detained during a police operation at Hotel Sea Palace based on information provided by Dhaka police.
The detainees were identified as Wei Ching Wen, Xu Yangfan, Yan Changsheng, Xu Haiyang, Wu Jianxiong and Zhang Zheming.
Police alleged that the detainees were involved in online fraud and cybercrime.
Police Inspector Mintu Dutta subsequently filed a case with Ramu Police Station against 10 named individuals and 250–300 unidentified people over allegations of online fraud and cybercrime.
A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said more than 250 Chinese and Taiwanese nationals had been staying at different hotels in Cox’s Bazar.
The officer said police operations were under way to identify and detain individuals allegedly involved in online fraud.
Authorities are also investigating the purpose of the large quantity of mobile phones, laptops and communication equipment recovered from the hotel.
Hotel Sea Palace authorities said a group of Chinese nationals had checked into the hotel on Aug. 26 and that several of them were detained during the police operation on Thursday night.
Police said further investigation would determine the nature and extent of the alleged cybercrime activities and whether others were involved.
The allegations against the detainees have not been independently verified.
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