TikTok: preferred app for youth crime?

Mohammad Jamil Khan

Tue Mar 15, 2022 12:00 AM Last update on: Tue Mar 15, 2022 04:59 AM

Though a relatively new social media platform, TikTok has already

become a preferred tool for criminals to carry out their activities,
according to law enforcers.

The shocking picture came to the fore after they arrested around 28
people since May last year.

TikTok app activities are also leading to deadly clashes among its users.
In a recent debacle, a mere "haha" reaction on a TikTok video posted on
Facebook led to a clash in Gazipur, leaving at least three dead and four
injured.

Legal experts and law enforcers believe that the issue can be addressed
by raising awareness and bringing such social media apps under strict
monitoring.

RAPE, EXTORTION

During investigations, law enforcers discovered a syndicate that targets

teenage or school-going girls on TikTok and befriends them. They're then
lured in with promises of TikTok stardom and invited to meet-ups. Once
they agree and come over, they're sexually harassed and even raped,
while on record. The videos are then used to extort them.

In the first week of February, DB's cyber and special crime division
arrested two -- DJ Nayem (20) and Kamal Ali (19), after the father of a
14-year-old girl filed a case with Tejgaon Police Station under the
pornography control act.

The victim's father claimed that he received some compromising photos

of the girl on WhatsApp on January 31. The sender demanded a
motorbike, threatening to post the photos on social media otherwise.
Detectives recovered around 60 more teenage girls' photographs from
the arrestees' cell phones after the arrest.

"We're looking for another member of the syndicate, who used to rape
teenagers after inviting them to shoot videos and later extort them with
video recordings of the crime," said Junaed Alam Sharker, DB's
additional deputy commissioner.

In September last year, police arrested Rasul Hridhoy from the capital's
Bhatara on the charge of raping four girls. Police said he used to trap
girls by using similar tactics.

FROM BURGLARY TO COLLECT MONEY

On February 2, DB (Gulshan Division) arrested four -- Hazrat Ali (25),

Shimul Islam Liton (24) and two minors -- on charges of breaking into
private residences and stealing valuables.

Police arrested them after they stole 16 laptops, two DSLR cameras,
cash worth Tk 3.50 lakh and electronic gadgets worth Tk 12.40 lakh from
an IT firm's office.

During interrogation, the arrestees admitted that they burgled to fund

their TikTok videos as they need better clothes and electronic products
for the purpose, said Mashiur Rahman, DB deputy commissioner.

DECEPTION

On November 15 last year, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested a youth

-- Abur Rakib Khokon alias "TikTok Raj" (26), on the charge of deceiving
over 100 women on TikTok -- posing as a member of different forces,
including Rab.

Rab also claimed to have recovered fake Rab uniforms and ID cards from
him.

He used fake identities on TikTok and befriended women, formed

relationships, and subsequently blackmailed them with photos, said
investigators.

Rakib has married four women, all of whom have been conned by him
into marriage, said Rab officials.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SEX WORK

In May last year, after a video of torturing a Bangladeshi girl in India went
viral on social media, another dark side of TikTok was revealed, in which
the app was used for trafficking and illegal sex work.

Police have so far arrested 20 people for their involvement with the
trafficking syndicates. Indian law enforcers have arrested a dozen
people, including 11 Bangladeshis.

During interrogation, the arrestees admitted that they used to trap young
girls by inviting them to different pool parties, from where they used to
traffic them to neighbouring India and force them to work as sex workers.

This correspondent also managed to talk to a victim after she returned

home after being confined by a TikTok gang in India, who confirmed the
information.

AWARENESS, MONITORING

Mashiur Rahman, DB's deputy commissioner, said, "Parents should

check their children's activities, where they are going and what they are
doing."

"Shutting down the apps cannot be a solution. We need authority and a

specific regulation to monitor and operate such apps," said Tasmiah
Nuhiya Ahmed, an advocate at the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, DB officials of the cyber and special crime division requested

victims to file complaints against such crimes.

Nusrat Jahan Mukta, DB's additional deputy commission, said, "Do not
be scared of filing complaints. Victims' identities have never been
disclosed. But if the complaint is not made, criminals might get the scope
to cause further harm."