A woman lost 50 lakhs in the grip of human trafficking

A woman named Suraiya has sought legal recourse against the traffickers after falling into the clutches of human trafficking gangs after finding 50 lakh rupees in the hope of a better life in Madhavpur.

The gang leader Mahmuda Akhtar, Afsa Begum and Nizam Uddin filed a case under the Human Trafficking Act with the police station.

In this incident, Suraiya and 4 other people were taken to Kolkata, India in the name of taking Portugal. 18 lakh contract with each of them.

It is said that after talking to the petitioner and the plaintiff Suraiya, from the source of previous acquaintance, they came to know that Mahmuda Akhter, the officer of Sylhet branch of ICB Bank, daughter of Abdul Barik of Baneshwarpur (Barura Bara Bari) of Chowmuhani Union of Madhavpur Upazila and Afsa Begum and Afsa Begmer, the officer of a Dhaka branch of the same bank. Swami Nizam Uddin, son of Nur Uddin of Ekabbarpur village of Begumganj Upazila of Noakhali district sent people to different countries of Europe.

When Suraiya contacted Mahmuda Akhter, who works in a clinic in Madhavpur Municipal Sadar, in the hope of a better life, Mahmuda Akhter promised to take Suraiya Akhter to Portugal via India in exchange of 18 lakh rupees.

Mahmuda lured Suraiya with a salary of Tk 1 lakh. Suraiya Akhtar decided to go to Portugal after listening to Mahmuda Akhtar's talk. Farukul Islam son of Rustam Ali of Birsinghpara village, Alamgir Mia son of Yunus Ali of Santoshpur village, Abid Hossain son of Hira Mia of Chattipara village and Sheikh Md Sohag son of Abu Hanif of Nasirnagar Sadar were also interested in going to Portugal with him.

Mahmuda Akhtar, Afsa Begum and Nizam Uddin said that each person has to pay Tk 12 lakh before leaving. The remaining 6 lakhs should be delivered to Portugal. Suraiya and others paid Tk 49 lakh 52 thousand through cash, bank account and BKash in several installments.

On November 18 last year (2022), after talking to Afsa Begum and Nizam Uddin, who were staying in New Delhi, sent Suraiya and others to New Delhi, the capital of India, by air.

There Afsa Begum and her husband Nizam Uddin received them at the airport and took them to a hotel named 'Dimple Lodge' near Delhi Railway Station.

Although it was supposed to be sent to Portugal within 1 month of arrival in India, no arrangements were made to do so, which created doubts in the minds of Suraiya and others with him. Afsa and Nizam Uddin kept delaying on various excuses.

If 2 months pass like this, Suraiyad's suspicion increases. Suspicion is further strengthened by the behavior and speech of Afsa Akhter and her gang members.

They realize that they are in the grip of the international human trafficking ring. They can be smuggled to any other country through their own network at any moment.

Suraiya then informed the manager of the hotel, Mukesh Kumar, who assured them of helping them through the police.

Afsa Akhtar and her husband Nizam Uddin ran away from the hotel after realizing the matter. Later on January 28, Suraiya Begum and her people returned to the country via Benapole by road.

When he came to the country and told the local union chairman, Mahmuda Akhtar admitted everything in the arbitration meeting. Samudaya assured money back.

Later Suraiya started demanding to return the money and at one stage denied everything and threatened to watch Akhtar and others.

In this regard, Suraiya Akhtar has filed a case at Madhavpur Police Station as the plaintiff. The investigation officer of the case, SI Ratanlal Dev, said that the case is being investigated with due importance.

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