KUALA LUMPUR: A Bangladeshi man, wanted by US authorities since 2022 for allegedly running an international child sexual exploitation enterprise, has been arrested in Malaysia and extradited to the United States.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director Kash Patel said Zobaidul Amin, 28, was detained here with the assistance of Malaysian authorities before being transferred to Alaska on Thursday night.
“Zobaidul had been wanted since 2022 on several charges linked to operating an international child sexual exploitation network,” said Patel.
He said the FBI thanked the Malaysian government and local enforcement for assisting in the investigation and arrest.
“More details about the case and charges are expected to be released later,” he added.
Meanwhile, the US Attorney’s Office in Anchorage said the suspect will face several charges over the operations of an international child sexual exploitation enterprise involving hundreds of minors.
“He arrived in Alaska on March 4 after being transferred from Malaysia by FBI and he is scheduled to make his initial court appearance before US Magistrate Judge Kyle F. Reardon.
“He faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to produce child pornography, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, operating a child exploitation enterprise, cyberstalking, aggravated identity theft and wire fraud.
“If convicted, he faces between 20 years and life in prison,” it said in a statement.
Prosecutors said Zobaidul used social media platforms, including Instagram and Snapchat, to identify and coerce minors into producing sexually explicit and sadistic images and videos.
“FBI and the Justice Department had been working with Malaysian authorities since September 2022 after Zobaidul was charged by Malaysia’s Attorney General’s Chambers with 13 offences related to the possession and production of child pornography,” added the statement.
The statement also mentioned that Zobaidul had been living in Malaysia and attending medical school prior to the charges.
US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the suspect’s transfer showed the effectiveness of international cooperation in pursuing criminals who attempt to evade justice by hiding abroad.
“Together with our international partners, we are countering online child sexual exploitation, protecting our most vulnerable, and bringing these sick abusers to face justice on American soil,” she said.
