Controversial Gazipur Customs Official Ayub Withdrawn

Foreign Trips Without Approval, ‘Private Service’ Listed in Passport, Money-Laundering Allegations; Withdrawn from Gazipur After Complaint

Mohammad Ayub, an assistant commissioner of the Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate in Gazipur, has been withdrawn from his post following allegations that he travelled abroad at least 25 times over eight years using three active passports without obtaining the required official permission.

A written complaint has recently been filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), seeking an investigation into whether his frequent overseas travel, use of multiple passports and alleged accumulation of substantial wealth have any connection with possible money laundering.

According to the complaint, Ayub travelled to six countries—India, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), China, Malaysia and Singapore—at least 25 times between 2018 and 2026.

The travel records cited in the complaint show 12 trips to India, seven to Thailand, two to the UAE, two to China, and one each to Malaysia and Singapore.

Interestingly, within days of the ACC complaint being filed, Ayub was withdrawn from his post in Gazipur and attached to the Internal Resources Division (IRD) of the Ministry of Finance as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD).

The decision was announced in a notification issued on August 27, signed by Mizabe Rahmat, Senior Assistant Secretary of the IRD, under the authority of the President.

Three passports, 25 overseas trips

Information obtained in connection with the allegations indicates that Ayub used three passports at different times.

The oldest, passport BP03795, was reportedly used for seven trips to India between August 2018 and January 2020.

He subsequently travelled on passport A033271, with records showing 10 overseas trips between April 2022 and September 2024 involving India, Thailand, the UAE and Malaysia.

The latest passport, A091834, was reportedly used for another eight trips between December 2024 and June 2026, involving Thailand, China and Singapore.

Taken together, the records indicate at least 25 foreign trips using three passports.

Another issue raised in the complaint concerns Ayub’s professional identity in his passport.

Although he is a government employee, the complaint alleges that his profession was listed as “Private Service” in his personal passport.

According to the relevant documents, his current passport is a regular passport. Passport A091834 was issued on November 13, 2024, and remains valid until November 11, 2034.

The same passport number was cited in a recent letter issued by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) in connection with his approval to travel abroad to participate in the World Masters Athletics Championships. The letter also mentioned A033271 as his previous passport.

However, an initial review reportedly found records indicating that Ayub had also used passport BP03795.

NBR approval for athletics championship

Questions surrounding Ayub’s overseas travel have also brought his recent trip to South Korea under scrutiny.

Ayub and another assistant commissioner were granted permission by the NBR to participate in the 2026 World Masters Athletics Championships, held in Daegu, South Korea, following their nomination by the Bangladesh Athletics Federation.

An NBR letter issued on August 3 stated that Ayub and Mohammad Shafiqul Islam, an assistant commissioner at the Dhaka (South) Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, had been permitted to attend the competition, which was scheduled to take place in Daegu from August 20 to September 5.

The letter identified Ayub’s current passport as A091834 and his previous passport as A033271.

Allegations of foreign travel without permission

Government employees are generally required to obtain the necessary departmental approval, leave and, where applicable, government orders before travelling abroad on personal trips.

However, the complaint submitted to the ACC alleges that Ayub travelled overseas on multiple occasions without obtaining the required departmental clearance.

The complainant has urged the ACC to investigate whether the allegations are true and to examine how the expenses of his frequent foreign trips were financed.

The complaint also calls for scrutiny of any financial transactions or asset acquisitions that may have taken place during his overseas visits.

Probe sought into possible money laundering

The ACC complaint alleges that Ayub accumulated substantial wealth through corrupt practices and that part of the money may have been transferred abroad.

These allegations have not been established.

The complainant has requested an investigation into Ayub’s bank accounts, income-tax records, asset declarations, foreign-travel expenses, international financial transactions and any investments or assets he may hold abroad.

Particular attention has been sought on how multiple passports were issued or used in the same individual’s name, why his professional identity allegedly differed across passport records, and whether he travelled abroad without the required government approval.

Withdrawal follows complaint, but no direct link established

Ayub’s withdrawal from the Gazipur Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate shortly after the ACC complaint was filed has drawn fresh attention to the allegations.

He has now been attached to the Internal Resources Division as an OSD.

However, there is no confirmed information or official statement establishing a direct connection between the ACC complaint and the administrative decision to withdraw him from Gazipur.

The allegations concerning his foreign travel, multiple passports, wealth accumulation and possible money laundering remain subject to verification and investigation.

Attempts were made to obtain Ayub’s comments on the allegations, but no response was received from him before publication of this report.