Alleged Ring Leader of a Fake NGO, 'Jamuna Foundation', Caught by Public in Joypurhat

 Moshiur Rahman Khan, Joypurhat Correspondent

The 'Jamuna Foundation' has been accused of operating a fake NGO to swindle money from people in Kalai, Joypurhat. Mostafizur Rahman, the alleged ringleader of the group, was caught by locals and handed over to the local Union Parishad. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. in the Moslemganj market area of the Upazila's Udaypur Union.

How the Scam Unfolded

According to local sources, several members of the 'Jamuna Foundation' initially entered the Moslemganj market area and befriended influential people. On Monday, they began collecting money from various villagers, promising low-interest loans for agriculture, farming, and overseas employment, claiming to have an office at a well-known local resident's house. They reportedly collected between 5,000 to 17,000 BDT from each client.

On Tuesday morning, the victims went to the provided address, only to find out that no such NGO existed there. Suspicious, some locals contacted one of the individuals who had taken their money. They obtained an address and, accompanied by a local journalist, confronted the group. When asked for information about the NGO, the individuals repeatedly evaded the questions. While most of them managed to flee, the ringleader, Mostafizur Rahman, was apprehended by the public.

Victims' Accounts

Nilufa, Laboni, and Arfin, victims from the nearby village of Kochua Panitala in Gobindaganj Upazila, stated, "Three people from the 'Jamuna Foundation' came to our village on Monday. They promised to give three expatriates a 3 lakh BDT loan for 33,000 BDT. Since we needed money, we each immediately gave them 10,000 BDT. When we came to their 'office' on Tuesday, we found out it was a scam. We're poor people, how are we going to send them abroad now?"

Shafiqul from Binail village in Udaypur Union said, "They told me they rented an office at Rony's house in Moslemganj market, which made me trust them. After they told me about their NGO, I agreed and gave them 17,500 BDT. The next morning, I found out it was all a hoax. I demand their punishment."

Investigation and Release

The landlord of the supposed office, Rony, said, "They cheated me too. They came to rent my place, but because they didn't have their documents, we couldn't sign a contract. Later, the person who introduced himself as the head officer called me and said they would finalize the contract on Tuesday. When the NGO was exposed as a fake, I checked the phone numbers and found that the person who claimed to be the manager and the one who claimed to be the head officer were the same person."

Former local UP member Sirajul Islam said, "We found out they took money and National ID cards from 4-5 people in my village by promising loans. We came to the 'office' and saw it was a fake NGO. With the help of locals, we caught Mostafizur Rahman, but the others got away."

Udaypur UP member Nurnabi stated, "When I heard a fake NGO official had been caught, I came to the Parishad. After questioning the arrested person, I found out that most of the group members are from the Gopalganj district. He also claimed to be the manager under an officer named Habib, but when I called Habib's number, it was turned off."

Nurnabi also mentioned that when he contacted the OC of Kalai Thana, he was advised not to get involved and to release the arrested person. He then contacted the UNO, who asked him to hand over the person to her.

Kalai Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shamima Akter Jahan said, "I couldn't find anyone who had given money to the person the public had arrested. No one was willing to file a case against him. I even arranged for a public announcement in the Union Parishad area to find victims, but none came forward. I informed the UNO of the upazila the arrested person came from. Since no one was willing to press charges, he was released on a bond after his family members came to pick him up."