Police have arrested a group of four led by one Badal Hossain, 35, who used to pick out people coming out of banks with large amounts of cash.
Later, the group approached the people carrying the money, identifying themselves as law enforcers.
“We took the money with threats of arrest or death and dropped them off at a convenient place,” confessed Badal.
The other accomplices are: Al Amin, 23, Bashir, 42, Liton, 40 and Abdur Rab, 55.
Arrested on Monday, the four were sent to court, which granted a one day remand.
“Wearing jackets with RAB written on them, they used to operate around banks in Motijheel,” said police sources and added that one revolver, two rounds of bullets, one walkie-talkie, one pair of handcuffs and one Noah microbus were recovered from their possession.
Senior assistant police commissioner, Atiqul Islam, said: “they have been hijacking in the Motijheel area by impersonating RAB officials.”
We managed to detect them after a long investigation, said the officer and warned that there were several other such armed fraud groups operating around Motijheel.
Ring leader Badal said that one of the members of their team go inside banks and keep an eye on people withdrawing large amounts of cash.
“He informs us via phone and we start following the target,” added Badal.
Last week, the group snatched Tk. 15 lakh from a person near the north gate of Baitul Mokarram mosque.
Police say that there is a woman member of the group called Rekha whose task is to bail anyone arrested.
Police believe there is another group which targets currency traders of Motijheel.
“We are trying to nab them,” police added.