They came to Bangladesh as football players or for business purposes. But after the end of their visa tenure, they formed a nexus and started amassing money by duping Bangladeshis using social media platforms.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab-1) came up with the disclosure after arrest of 14 foreign nationals from Dhaka's Khilkhet and Bashundhara early yesterday.

Of the arrestees, seven are from Nigeria, two from Uganda and one each from Cameroon, Congo, Liberia, Tanzania and Mozambique, said Lt Col Sarowar Bin Kashem, commanding officer of Rab-1.

The elite force also seized 29 cell phones, 2 laptops, Tk 1 lakh and USD 1,013 from their possession.

The arrestees are Mukuye Michael, Keturah Mloves Mnyigamba, Patrick Mbazira, Sarmento Rabeca, Ezichukwa, Onqora Chuknonse Benard, Olubowale, Promise Onyinycekukwu Igboakaba, Moses Nyegonu Amadi, Donates, Christiaw Enwuludoh, Didi Nya, Ilunga Chritian and George Matthew.

Lt Col Kashem, while addressing a briefing at Rab media centre, said the arrestees first opened a fake Facebook account and established relationship with Bangladeshis after identifying themselves as UN officials.

After some days, they lured victims by claiming to have sent valuable gifts from abroad, which were stuck at the customs. Later, they called the victims as customs officials and asked for money to release the packages and thus collected a huge amount of money.

Besides, the gang members also amassed money from people, saying that they have a “chemical” used for printing dollars.

The fraudsters made around Tk 30-35 lakh per month and laundered the money abroad, said the Rab official.

“We have identified the gang's mastermind, who is a Nigerian and his name is Mark. But we failed to arrest him as he left the country soon after the arrest of the gang members,” he said.