A surge in fake Facebook accounts using the name and images of Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, has sparked concern among party officials and cybersecurity experts, who warn of escalating online propaganda campaigns.
Numerous accounts, pages, and groups—accessible in both Bengali and English—have been found operating under names such as "Zaima Rahman", "Barrister Zaima Rahman", and "Zaima Rahman Support Group". These pages frequently share politically charged content, edited images, and slanderous videos, with some targeting key public figures and institutions.
A review of these accounts reveals that a portion are disseminating misinformation on political matters, while others are posting defamatory content. The misleading posts have prompted active engagement from users, with some expressing support and others voicing confusion.
Not only Zaima Rahman, there are numerous fake IDs on Facebook in the names of important persons in the country, even government advisers and prominent businessmen, popular heroes and heroines. Through these IDs, a malicious group is creating a terrible situation by spreading terrible propaganda.
Experts believe that if these fake IDs are not suppressed now, the situation will become even more terrible. Mutual relations between people will deteriorate, distrust will arise. They believe that if action is not taken against these now, there may be a scandal in the country during the next elections.
Numerous pages and groups are active on Facebook under different names such as 'Zaima Rahman', 'Barrister Zaima Rahman', 'Zaima Rahman Support Group'. Various types of content, including political issues, are being shared on these pages regularly. Where users are actively giving their opinions. From these IDs, propaganda is being spread not only against the leaders of various political parties, but also against the leaders of BNP.
However, BNP said that Zaima Rahman is not currently active on any social media. She does not have any personal or official account or any platform. For this reason, the party has warned the general public not to associate with these pages and IDs created in Zaima's name.
BNP's media cell member Shairul Kabir Khan told Bangladesh Pratidin that the IDs and pages that are active on Facebook in the name of Zaima Rahman are completely fake. “These accounts have been created only to mislead the people. Some malicious circles are opening IDs for malicious purposes to achieve their own interests and spreading propaganda.”
20 fake IDs have been opened in the name of a popular film actress in Bangladesh. This popular actress, on condition of autonomy said, "I myself get confused about my own ID. I have complained repeatedly but could not get any solution to it. My life has become miserable due to fake IDs. Even close people have misunderstood me and distanced themselves from me."
Cyber security experts said that opening a fake ID on social media Facebook is a crime. Apart from this, publishing harmful content (comments, news, pictures, videos, audio) and commenting, sharing or liking it is also a crime. Doing these things can bring them under punishment according to the Digital Security Act. The content that is considered harmful in the country (news, comments, videos, audio) has been divided into three categories.
These include - pornography, false news on political and social issues, rumors, spreading hatred and militant content. Liking, sharing, commenting on these three types of content or uploading statuses related to it is a crime. Most of the crimes under the Pornography Act and Digital Security Act are non-bailable. In these cases, it is possible to immediately file a case and arrest the accused without an arrest warrant.
Associate Professor and Social Crime Expert at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Dhaka University, Dr. Touhidul Haque said that the incidents of creating fake IDs using the names and pictures of political figures are increasing day by day. These IDs can be used to intentionally spread rumors, create confusion and try to influence public opinion. So social media users should be careful.
He said, “According to the country's law, if someone wants to buy a SIM card, they have to provide NID. That is, no one under the age of 18 can own a SIM card. But according to Facebook's policy, only someone above the age of 13 can open an account. He proposed that the government make it mandatory to be 18 years of age and use NID to open a Facebook account.”
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
