Reported by Suprovat Sydney: A high-stakes investigation into international examination fraud reached a tipping point this weekend as Dhaka Bangladesh police dismantled a sophisticated syndicate accused of leaking IELTS exam papers. The crackdown has exposed a sprawling network of “safe houses,” insider collusion, and a mastermind allegedly operating from Sydney, Australia.
Police arrested Md Mamun Khan (37) and his associate Panna Poonam Halder, alias Keya (26), following a dramatic raid at a Banani hotel. The duo is allegedly central to a racket that has been charging students between Tk1.25 lakh and Tk3 lakh for guaranteed “100% match” exam answers.
The “Safe House” Protocol: A Midnight Operation
The syndicate’s operations were executed with military precision. According to investigations and eyewitness accounts, the process followed a strict chronological script:
- Friday Afternoon: Candidates and “financial guarantors” were gathered at designated spots. All electronic devices including smartphones and smartwatches were confiscated.
- Friday Night: Students were transported via circuitous routes to pre-booked hotels, such as the Afford Inn in Uttara or Hotel West Valley in Nadda.
- 1:30 AM – 8:00 AM: Leaked papers were distributed in phases. Students were given the Writing section first, followed by Reading at 6:30 AM, and Listening at 8:00 AM.
- Saturday Morning: Managed transport moved students directly to various exam centers across Dhaka, including Patronas, Compass, IALC, and BARC.
“I paid Tk1.8 lakh,” (around $2,057.23 Australian Dollars) said one student, Nadit Hasan Rocky. “Initially, I didn’t believe it, but the questions matched 100%. Everything Mamun Sir promised was there.”
The Sydney Connection
The reach of the syndicate extends beyond Bangladesh’s borders. Intelligence indicates that the alleged mastermind behind the operation is currently residing in Punchbowl, Sydney, on an Australian student visa.
Sources suggest the individual entered Australia using fraudulent documentation and has since established a multi-national criminal network involving Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Bangladeshi nationals. This Australian cell is reportedly involved in large-scale white-collar crime and visa fraud, posing a significant security risk to the Australian community.
Evidence of Insider Collusion
The scale of the leak has raised alarm bells regarding the security protocols of Cambridge English, IDP, and the British Council.
One agent, Tarek Aziz, reportedly claimed to have spent Tk2.5 crore (around $285,726.73 AUD) to secure leaks through internal contacts. While IDP Education Bangladesh declined to comment citing global media protocols, the British Council has not yet responded to inquiries.
“If these leaks are proven true, Bangladesh faces the very real possibility of its test centers being cancelled,” warned Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). “This failure reflects poorly on Cambridge English; such a leak is impossible without internal involvement.”
Police Action and Seizures
During the Saturday operation, police seized Tk8.38 lakh in cash (around $9,577.56 AUD) and eight mobile phones. The arrests occurred at the Amazon Lily Lake View Residence after Mamun Khan allegedly attacked a journalist who witnessed him collecting cash from guardians.