Police officials' role in ATM scam being probed

The investigators are now checking the role of some police officials who had good relation with Piotr Szczepan Mazurek alias Thomas Peter, the prime accused in ATM forgery incident.

“During interrogation, Piotr disclosed the names of some police officials claiming that he had good relation with them,” says Monirul Islam, DMP's Additional Commissioner. “We are now verifying the information,” he told reporters at his office in the capital's Minto Road.

He said that they would be able to know details about the officers upon receiving copy of Peter's confessional statement from the court.

Monirul, the spokesperson of the DMP, also refuted the allegation that Gulshan police Inspector Firoz had been transferred to a police station in Rangpur range for his involvement in the forgery. “The transfer was a routine work,” he claimed.

Peter is now on a five-day police remand in a fraud case filed with Gulshan police.

The card forgery first came to light after United Commercial Bank filed a case with Banani police on February 12. City Bank Ltd also filed a case with Pallabi police. Such kind of forgery complaints also came from Eastern Bank and Prime bank.

So far, the DB police has arrested Peter and five others including three city bank officials.

DIG Monirul, who is coordinating the investigation, said that they were verifying the status of six to seven other persons including three foreigners. “We have already collected photographs, passport details and other information of the foreigners, who left the country after the crime,” he said.

“We are now trying to bring those foreigners back through Interpol, embassy and high commission,” he added.

Monirul said that they had come to know about the involvement of 22-23 other high-profile individuals and firms in the forgery incident. “Action will be taken against these persons and companies after we get enough evidence,” he said.