CID files money laundering case against Nafisa Kamal’s firm and others

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against eight individuals and organisations, including Orbitals International, owned by Nafisa Kamal, for allegedly laundering around Tk 33.44 crore through manpower exports to Malaysia.

The case was filed with Gulshan Police Station on charges of fraud and illegal financial transactions, CID special superintendent of police (media) Jasim Uddin Khan said yesterday.

According to the investigation, Orbitals International - owned by Nafisa Kamal, daughter of Awami League politician and businessperson Mustafa Kamal - along with other manpower exporting agencies, formed a syndicate that embezzled the money by overcharging workers seeking employment in Malaysia.

Other accused organisations and owners are Hafizul Bari Mohammad Lutfar Rahman of Irving Enterprise, Rafiqul Islam Patwary of Aman Enterprise, Jasim Uddin Ahmed of Ahad International Ltd., Md Akhtar Hossain of Akhtar Recruitment Agency, Shiuli Begum of Malaysia Bangladesh Holdings (Pvt) Ltd., Kausar Mridha of Mridha International Corporation, and Mohammad Bashir of Rabbi International.

The investigation found that from 2022 to 2024, the syndicate sent 3,111 workers to Malaysia, charging each Tk 1.5 lakh, while the government-fixed migration cost was Tk 78,990. In addition, each worker was charged an extra Tk 36,500 beyond approved costs such as passport fees, Covid-19 tests, medical exams, and clothing.

In total, the accused allegedly embezzled Tk 1,07,510 per worker, amounting to Tk 33,44,63,610.

The CID's Financial Crime Unit is currently investigating the case.

Investigators are tracing the accused individuals' movable and immovable assets across the country.

The CID said raids and inquiries will continue to identify and apprehend all those involved in the syndicate.