A syndicate is embezzling crores of taka from a fake travel agency in Cox's Bazar to get into the 1xBet gambling trap. Sensational allegations have been made that the gang is using the merchant account of a non-existent company called 'Taj Booking BD.com' to launder gambling money out of the country.

When asked about this matter from the main mastermind of this gang, Akramul Bashar Chowdhury, he did not give a proper answer and instead threatened to file a case against this reporter under the ICT Act. Later, all the evidence was handed over to the OC of Cox's Bazar Sadar Model Police Station.

It is known that many people, captivated by all the tempting advertisements, are investing money in this gambling game even after selling their houses. Although they initially make some money, they later return empty-handed. This is just a small part of the ongoing investigation. We have more sensational information ahead.

How gambling and smuggling are going on

Investigations revealed that 1xBet gambling is a booming business online nationwide. Thousands of people are losing money every day due to greed. The website of a travel and tourism agency, 'Taj Booking BD.com', looks neat and tidy, and claims to have its head office in Kalatoli, the tourist city of Cox's Bazar. The website is decorated with all the tempting offers of domestic and international air tickets and hotel bookings. But in reality, no bookings can be made on the site, and even their Facebook page has only two followers!

A long investigation revealed that this is not a travel agency; rather, the internationally banned online gambling platform '1xBet' is running a booming business behind it. Akramul's fraud was caught while depositing money on the gambling site 1xBet. When gamblers select mobile banking 'Nagad' to deposit money on 1xBet, the name "TAZ BOOKING BD DOT COM" appears as the merchant on the customer's screen while confirming the payment.

Essentially, to deceive the administration, crores of taka are being smuggled out of the country through hundis using fake trade licenses and using the name of a travel agency through accounts in bKash, Nagad, Rocket and a few banks.

Akramul's boasting when questioned by a journalist

After receiving irrefutable evidence, the newspaper 'Dainik Bartamdin' contacted the personal WhatsApp number of the ringleader, Akramul Bashar Chowdhury. When the reporter sent screenshots and evidence of gambling transactions under his own name, he began to behave extremely inconsistently.

At first, he admitted ownership of the page and site, but denied it after seeing evidence of gambling. To protect himself, he constantly made up new stories, saying once, "My staff may be involved," and then later, "Someone from my enemies did this." As his real business, he mentioned a site called "Durbin.com," which, upon searching, was completely suspended from the server.

The most surprising thing is that even though this reporter sent his official visiting card as a staff reporter of 'Dainik Baratmandin' to confirm his identity, Akramul Bashar showed extreme arrogance.

He arrogantly said, "I don't know you, this is just a visiting card, give me your ID card first." On the contrary, to cover up his crime, he threatened the reporter with a case under the ICT Act and said, "I will file a case under the ICT Act on Sunday, my lawyer is taking all the necessary measures."

Didn't answer the last question, removed the number from the gambling site!

According to the objective rules of journalism, before publishing the news, the accused Akramul Bashar was asked for his final written statement in defense. He was asked why his organization's name was being displayed on the gambling site and the exact address of the office, as there was no office in Kalatali, Cox's Bazar.

But he didn't answer any questions. Instead, he wrote angrily on WhatsApp, "Are you crazy or what... why are you just threatening me?"

The most shocking thing is that immediately after the journalist's questioning, the cash merchant number of 'Taj Booking BD' disappeared from the deposit option of the 1xBet site overnight!

According to technology experts, the gambling agent hastily removed the payment gateway from the gambling site to cover up his crime and destroy evidence, which 100 percent confirms his guilt.

Demand for strict intervention by the administration

Since he is using a Cox's Bazar address, the matter was contacted by Cox's Bazar Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md. Ilias Khan. The gambling and all documents and digital evidence have been handed over to the OC.

Concerned parties have demanded swift and strict intervention by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, the Police Cyber ​​Crime Investigation Cell, and the CID in the case of crores of rupees being laundered through this fake organization.

Small part of ongoing nationwide search

Screenshots of 1xBet gambling transactions in the name of 'Taj Booking BD', records of conversations with Akramul Bashar, and all digital evidence are preserved in the editorial office of 'Dainik Bartamdin'.

But this is not just an isolated incident. A series of investigations are underway against a huge syndicate of online gambling and money laundering across the country. This fake travel agency incident in Cox's Bazar is just a small part of our investigation. Our investigation will continue to unmask the Raghavbowals who are laundering crores of taka under the guise of gambling.

Note: 'The Finance Today' and 'Dainik Baratmandin' are affiliated organizations.