RAB detains two men who ‘posed as police, RAB and other forces’ to loot passengers

They allegedly used RAB uniforms, handcuffs and even fake identity gear to rob passengers, officers say

A gang that allegedly carried out robberies for years by impersonating law-enforcing officers has been dismantled, with two key members, including the “ringleader”, arrested by the RAB at Dhaka’s Demra.

The arrested are Md Alamin, also known as “Mota Alamin”, and Md Raihan.

The RAB said Alamin was first arrested on Thursday while preparing for a robbery at Demra’s Mendipur.

Based on his information, Raihan was later arrested in the same locality.

During the operation, law enforcement recovered a foreign pistol, a magazine, four rounds of ammunition, a microbus, two fake number plates, six RAB jackets, two handcuffs, a walkie-talkie set, police-labelled stickers, a laser light, police buttons, a WiFi pocket router, an army-style mask and two smartphones.

RAB officials said two of the recovered handcuffs were looted from a police station during the Aug 5 incidents in 2024, though the exact station has not yet been confirmed.

At a press briefing at the RAB Media Centre in Karwan Bazar on Saturday, RAB Legal and Media Wing Director Wing Commander MZM Intekhab Chowdhury said the gang targeted buses and microbuses, stopping vehicles at gunpoint and robbing passengers of cash and valuables.

“They would sometimes pose as RAB, sometimes as police or even joint forces, and carry out robberies under the guise of operations,” he said.

He identified Alamin as a key leader of the gang, noting multiple cases against him involving robbery, theft and arms.

In 2023, he was also accused of looting Tk 7.1 million from gold traders in Keraniganj while posing as RAB personnel.

Although arrested in a robbery case in May 2025, Alamin was released on bail and allegedly returned to criminal activity.

RAB said he now faces eight cases across Dhaka, Keraniganj, Mugda, Khilgaon, Tangail Sadar and Siddhirganj, covering robbery, theft and arms charges.

Raihan, a driver by profession, acted as a key facilitator, arranging vehicles, planning escape routes and supporting operational logistics, officials said.

On how the public can distinguish real from fake RAB members, the spokesperson said all personnel carry official jackets and hologram-verified ID cards as primary identifiers and are instructed to present credentials during operations when asked.