Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch said it arrested five people over allegations of forging official seals, signatures and letterheads linked to senior state officials.
Police identified those held as Faruq Hossain, Sakib Khan, Masum Munshi, Mir Tawhidul Islam and Bakul Mondal.
The arrests were made on Tuesday in Kalkini, Madaripur, and in the Kushtia Model Police Station area, police said.
Police said they recovered 41 alleged forged seals, four bundles of official letterhead, eight mobile phones, two computers and a laptop.
Additional Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said the investigation began after suspicious documents concerning a request to reinstate a dismissed employee were referred for scrutiny.
Police alleged that the documents carried forged seals and signatures in the names of the prime minister, ministers and senior officials.
The Detective Branch alleged that the group used a WhatsApp account impersonating a prime ministerial protocol officer to press officials to act on the reinstatement request.
Police also alleged that a forged recommendation related to manpower exports to Moldova was presented to the relevant authorities.
Investigators alleged that Sakib sought out people with unresolved issues at government offices, while Tawhidul prepared drafts on a computer and Masum possessed the 41 seals.
Police said legal action against the five was being processed.
Police said they were also investigating whether anyone from a ministry was involved.
The allegations have not been tested in court, and the evidence set does not state whether charges have been filed.