Police investigate diplomatic information scam using cabinet secretary’s identity

The home ministry warns that continued such activities could seriously damage internal security and Bangladesh’s international relations

Police have launched an investigation after attempts were made to collect sensitive information from foreign diplomatic missions by impersonating Bangladesh’s cabinet secretary, using a mobile phone number registered in the country.

Additional Inspector General Sardar Nurul Amin, chief of the Special Branch, said investigators believe the operation was conducted from outside Bangladesh.

“Preliminary findings suggest the number was cloned and the calls were made from abroad. The matter is being treated with utmost seriousness,” he told bdnews24.com on Sunday.

According to a letter issued by the home ministry on Apr 9, unknown individuals used the name and identity of Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani to seek sensitive and official information from several embassies and missions.

Using the number [phone], the caller attempted to contact Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commission in India, the Bangladesh High Commission in Nigeria, a minister at the same mission, and the Bangladesh Consulate General in Canada.

The ministry described the act as “fraudulent and dangerous”, warning that it poses risks to national security, diplomatic relations, and the government’s reputation.

“It raises the possibility of leakage of sensitive information, which is a threat to national security,” the letter said.

It also cautioned that if such activities continue, Bangladesh’s internal security and international relations could be “seriously undermined”.

Authorities have instructed law-enforcing agencies to identify those behind the phone number and take legal action.

Copies of the directive were sent to the secretary of the Posts and Telecommunications Division, the inspector general of police, the Special Branch chief, and the director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre.