Miscreants have restarted extorting noted businessmen soon after the political changeover of the country.
Using names of influential people, they are issuing threats to the top management of business entities and asking them to pay the toll to avert any untoward incident.
Some expatriate Bangladeshis, even, have also been found involved with such extortion. Tanvir Opu is one of the extortionists who is seeking toll from abroad.
He is sending messages to the targets on social media platforms and asking them to pay the toll immediately.
Amid fear, some victims have filed general diaries with the police stations. The Bangladesh Post has talked to a victim and has obtained a copy of GD filed by a businessman.
The businessman alleged that expatriate Tanvir Opu, staying in Finland, has recently issued a death threat. While sharing the matter with this correspondent, the businessman said expatriate Opu demanded Tk two crore as toll recently.
“Opu has issued a threat to kill me if I fail to pay the toll,” said the businessman, wishing not to be named.
Allegations have surfaced that expatriate Tanvir Opu has been extorting individuals and organisations by using photos of influential people.
He has been sending these photos to his targets.
Records shows that Opu, who introduced him as a world traveller, has sent messages hurling abusive languages and issued threats to a businessman.
He also issued threats to burn down businesses and homes. Furthermore, he has threatened to involve intelligence agencies to abduct those who refuse to comply with his demands.
Some complainants have requested this correspondent not to mention the names and institutions in the report for the sake of their organisations.
They stated that individuals like Tanvir Opu are exploiting the current situation, as the new government is busy with rebuilding the country after the fall of the Awami League government amid a mass upsurge.
Despite repeated attempt for comments over phone calls, Tanvir Opu did not pay any heed to the call.
The GD with the Kalabagan Police Station mentioned that the demands for extortion were made from two phone numbers.
In July, another general diary was also filed against Opu for threatening a journalist. Sensing the gravity of the situation, he fled to Finland at that time.
After returning to the country on August 17, he became involved in various criminal activities, including extortion, victims said.
Born in Shiroil, Rajshahi, Opu has numerous complaints against him from his first wife and many others living at home and abroad.
Opu is well-known to all in his area as a close associate of former Rajshahi mayor and Awami League leader AHM Khairuzzaman Liton.
Despite repeated attempts to contact Opu for comments, he could not be reached.
Meanwhile, the concerned police station is currently investigating the matter.
