NBR detects Tk40,000cr in laundered assets abroad

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has traced nearly Tk40,000 crore in immovable assets allegedly procured abroad with laundered money from Bangladesh during the 15 years of Awami League's authoritarian rule.

According to a press release from the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, NBR officials briefed Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on the findings at the state guesthouse Jamuna on Sunday.

Ahsan Habib, director general of the Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) at NBR and Md Abdur Rahman Khan, chairman of NBR was present at the meeting.

NBR's Central Intelligence Cell DG Ahsan Habib and NBR chief Md Abdur Rahman Khan met with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus

CIC said investigations since January across seven cities in five countries found 346 properties purchased in the names of individuals and organisations.

Habib said that the findings represent only a “partial picture” of the Awami League-era money laundering crimes. “What we have uncovered so far is just the tip of the iceberg. Much more data is still under review,” he said.

Officials also disclosed the discovery of 352 foreign passports obtained by Bangladeshis in exchange for money in nine countries – Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, North Macedonia, Malta, St Lucia and Turkey.

Habib said CIC investigators collected the information after preliminary groundwork in Dhaka, and field visits abroad.

He added that over half a dozen international organisations are assisting Bangladesh in the process.

“Work is underway to confiscate these properties in favour of Bangladesh and ensure punishment for those involved in money laundering,” he said.

The CIC chief alleged that during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, individuals linked to money laundering gained control over the central bank’s database system, erasing critical records.

The CIC has now developed the expertise to recover deleted data, he said.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus instructed the CIC to continue investigations and expand to more countries, assuring full government cooperation in repatriating stolen assets.

He stressed coordination among the Anti-Corruption Commission, CIC, police’s CID and other relevant agencies to bring offenders to justice.

“This plunder of national wealth is a grave act of treason,” Yunus said. “To safeguard the future, we must hold these looters accountable and set an example so no one dares to strip the country of its resources again.”