Letters sent to countries: ACC yet to get any reply about money launderers

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) secretary, Dr Md Anwar Hossain Howlader, says the ACC hardly get any information from foreign countries with regard to money laundering by Bangladeshis, thanks to Bangladesh not having agreements with any country in this regard. 

"Most of the time the ACC does not get any replies, although letters were sent to different countries at different times asking about alleged money laundering by citizens of Bangladesh," the ACC secretary said, after a meeting with lawyers at his office on Monday. 

"They are not obliged to send information as Bangladesh has no agreement with any country in this regard," he added. 

He also said, "We ask for information on money laundering in many countries and information is sometimes provided if they are interested." 

"We have received complaints from various departments on money laundering issues. However, we cannot accept complaints unless they are specific."

Also, all allegations of money laundering do not fall under the purview of the ACC. The ACC can only investigate allegations concerning government officials and employees. At present, the conviction rate in ACC cases on money laundering issues is 100%, he added. 

According to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2012, the ACC conducts investigations about money siphoned off abroad that is acquired through bribery or corruption.

The National Board of Revenue is investigating the siphoning of money to foreign countries through trade transactions. The Criminal Investigation Department of police investigates money laundered by hundi or any other means.

Bangladesh enacted the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in 2012 to prevent money laundering. The law was last amended on 26 November, 2015. Under the law, illegally acquired money or property siphoned off to foreign countries will be identified as a money laundering offense.