Bangladeshi national brought to Alaska to face charges of child exploitation

By THE ALASKA STORY

March 7, 2026 – Hundreds of Alaska children are among the victims in what federal prosecutors describe as one of the most prolific alleged online child-exploitation cases ever brought in the United States.

A Bangladeshi national accused of operating an international child sexual exploitation enterprise made his first appearance Thursday in federal court in Anchorage after being transported from overseas to Alaska by the FBI earlier this week.

According to the Department of Justice, 28-year-old Zobaidul Amin was indicted by a federal grand jury in Alaska in July 2022 on charges stemming from the alleged abuse and exploitation of hundreds of minor victims in Alaska, elsewhere in the United States, and around the world.

Prosecutors say Amin used social media platforms including Instagram and Snapchat to identify minor victims and coerce them into producing sexually explicit and sadistic images and videos.

Federal investigators say the alleged crimes occurred while Amin was living in Malaysia, where he was attending medical school. Authorities there charged him in September 2022 with 13 counts related to the possession and production of child pornography.

After more than two years of coordination between US and Malaysian authorities, Amin was transferred to the United States by the FBI on March 4 and brought to Anchorage to face the federal charges.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the transfer shows the Justice Department’s effort to pursue offenders who attempt to evade justice by operating overseas.

“Yesterday’s return from Malaysia of a Bangladeshi national who allegedly abused and sexually exploited hundreds of minor victims worldwide is another successful example of the Administration’s increased efforts to find criminals hiding abroad,” Bondi said. “Together with our international partners and the U.S. Department of State, we are countering online child sexual exploitation, protecting our most vulnerable, and bringing these sick abusers to face justice on American soil.”

FBI Director Kash Patel said the case is an example of the bureau’s focus on protecting children regardless of where offenders operate.

“The FBI’s commitment to protecting our children from exploitation doesn’t change whether an offender is here in the U.S. or overseas,” Patel said. “In collaboration with our partners, we will continue to ensure perpetrators like Amin are held accountable and brought to justice.”

US Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska said the scope of the alleged crimes is extraordinary.

“The impact of this case is that of international magnitude,” Heyman said. “It stands as one of the most prolific cases of alleged online child exploitation the United States has ever seen.”

FBI Anchorage Special Agent in Charge Rebecca Day said the case demonstrates that international borders will not shield suspects accused of targeting children online.

“Those who target children online cannot hide behind anonymity or borders,” Day said. “FBI Anchorage’s successful transport and arrest operation is a testament to the strength of our international law enforcement partnerships and the FBI’s relentless pursuit of justice for victims.”

Amin faces a series of federal charges including conspiracy to produce child pornography, conspiracy to receive and distribute child pornography, child exploitation enterprise, production and receipt of child pornography, cyberstalking, aggravated identity theft, and wire fraud.

If convicted, he faces a sentence ranging from 20 years to life in prison. Any sentence would be determined by a federal judge after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Amin appeared Thursday before US Magistrate Judge Kyle F. Reardon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska.