Detective Branch (DB) officers of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have apprehended three individuals associated with an organized group accused of manipulating the stock market through dissemination of false information on social media and online platforms.

The arrested individuals, identified as Amir Hossain (alias Nurnurani), Nurul Haque Harun, and Abdul Kaiyum, were captured in various locations within the capital on Friday evening.

DB Chief Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid confirmed the arrests during a press briefing at the DMP Media Centre on Saturday, attributing the success to the efforts of a team led by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Saifur Rahman Azad from the DB Cyber and Special Crime (South) division.

Highlighting the sensitivity of the stock market and the potential harm caused by such manipulative activities, Harun emphasized the significance of safeguarding investors from false information. He noted that the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) had filed a case at Ramna Police Station against a group accused of influencing investors with deceptive information.

The arrests followed ongoing investigations into the case, with the accused allegedly using clandestine groups on Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram to propagate misleading information related to the stock market. Harun also mentioned their involvement in instigating unrest among investors and engaging in extortion from listed companies, resorting to online smear campaigns and physical attacks against non-compliant entities.

Issuing a stern warning against stock market manipulation, Harun assured continued enforcement efforts to maintain market integrity and protect investors from fraudulent activities.