In the bustling city of Dubai, where dreams are often pursued and fortunes sought, a sinister figure by the name of Arav Khan has been preying on unsuspecting expatriates, leaving a trail of shattered lives and financial ruin. This fraudulent individual, originally known as Rabiul Islam, is accused of swindling hardworking migrants, primarily from Bangladesh, out of their hard-earned money. His deceitful tactics and the complex web of legal issues surrounding his case have left victims in despair, struggling to reclaim their lost funds.
Aynal Sipat Ali, a 16-year resident of Dubai, had diligently saved 131,000 UAE dirham (AED), equivalent to NDT 4.4 million. However, his dreams of enjoying the fruits of his labor were dashed when Arav Khan, also known as Rabiul Islam, entered his life. Aynal is just one among a group of ten expatriate Bangladeshis who fell victim to Arav’s elaborate schemes, losing a staggering AED 425,500 (about BDT 10.46 million).
The complexity of the situation deepens as Arav Khan is not only a notorious scam artist but also a wanted criminal in Bangladesh. Accused of the murder of Special Branch Inspector Mamun Emran Khan and facing another arms case, Arav managed to evade justice by fleeing to India and assuming a new identity. Presently residing in Dubai under the alias Arav Khan, he has acquired Indian citizenship, further complicating the legal pursuit of justice.
Despite being apprehended by Interpol in Dubai for 37 days, the Bangladesh government faced hurdles in repatriating Arav Khan due to his altered identity and newfound Indian citizenship. The victims, desperate for recourse, lodged a complaint with the Bangladesh consulate in Dubai on November 18, 2023, seeking assistance in recovering their lost funds.
The consulate advised the victims to approach the consulate general of India in Dubai for justice, given Arav’s current status as an Indian citizen. However, their attempts to seek justice through diplomatic channels seem to have hit a dead end, as the victims reported that their complaints to the consulate general office of India in Dubai yielded no results.
The victims, including Tariqul Islam, Aynal Sipat Ali, Yousuf Ali, Mohammad Rafsan Jani, Hasan Khan, Istiaque Ahmed, Md Shabbir, and Sarwar Ahmed, detailed their financial losses ranging from AED 5,000 to AED 178,000. Arav’s cunning methods involved embezzling funds under the guise of various ventures, such as Arav Jewellers, and exploiting victims’ trust in his promises of lucrative returns.
Aynal Sipat Ali, in his late 50s and working as a watchman in Chattogram’s Satkania, expressed the devastating impact of Arav’s actions on his life. Aynal, who had decided to return to Bangladesh after the sudden death of his son in July 2022, was lured by Arav’s false assurances. Arav, manipulating Aynal’s vulnerable state, offered to send his savings back to Bangladesh, only to disappear with the hard-earned money.
Similarly, Tariqul Islam, a software engineer in Dubai, shared his harrowing experience of depositing AED 178,000 into Arav’s account under the pretext of assisting with a lease agreement for Arav Jewellers. However, the promised five minutes never materialized, and Tariqul found himself a victim of Arav’s deceit.
Arav Jewellers, presented as a legitimate business venture, served as a front for Arav Khan’s fraudulent activities. Exploiting the trust of individuals like Yousuf Ali, who invested AED 37,500 in the hope of making a fortune, Arav’s false promises left victims with nothing but financial ruin. Mohammad Hosain Faisal, another victim, faced threats from Arav after realizing his mistake and attempting to retrieve his investment.
Faisal’s case highlights the predatory nature of Arav Khan, who not only threatened bodily harm but also engaged in legal battles, filing a cheque bounce case against Faisal. This intimidation tactic has silenced some victims, including Aynal Sipat Ali, who fears for his family’s safety if he pursues legal action.
While the victims are left grappling with the aftermath of Arav Khan’s deceit, the legal intricacies surrounding his changed identity and citizenship add layers of complexity to their quest for justice. K Kalimuthu, the consul general of India in Dubai, and Arav Khan have remained unresponsive to inquiries, leaving the victims in a frustrating state of limbo.
Arav Khan’s audacious continuation of fraudulent activities, such as offering fake visas through his travel agency Arav Khan Travels, underscores the urgent need for international cooperation in apprehending and bringing him to justice. The victims’ stories serve as a stark warning about the vulnerability of migrants and the challenges they face when seeking justice in foreign lands.
As the victims continue to grapple with the emotional and financial toll of Arav Khan’s deceit, the international community must unite to address the legal loopholes that allow individuals like him to evade justice. The plight of these expatriates serves as a call to action, urging authorities to collaborate and ensure that those who exploit vulnerable migrants are held accountable for their crimes. Until then, the victims remain in a precarious position, haunted by the shadows of Arav Khan’s fraudulent legacy.
Indian authorities need to take actions.
Plenty of Bangladeshis are illegally entering India and becoming citizen by bribing various agents. Indian authorities need to take tough action against these culprits.