Over Tk56 crore embezzled from UCB using villagers' identities, ACC files eight cases
Loans were approved through fake firms using villagers’ personal data, the anti-graft body says
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed eight separate cases accusing former directors of United Commercial Bank (UCB), senior bank officials, and private individuals of embezzling more than Tk56 crore by approving loans in the names of fake and nonexistent firms using the identities of poor villagers.
The cases were filed at the ACC's Chattogram District Integrated Office-1 today (22 December), Deputy Director of the office Shobel Ahmed confirmed.
According to the ACC, the accused acted in collusion to misuse personal information of poor and unsuspecting individuals to open bank accounts, obtain loans, and siphon off the funds through multiple transfers and conversions, amounting to money laundering.
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Former UCB director Bashir Ahmed has been named as the prime accused in all eight cases. Other former board members repeatedly named include Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, Bazlul Ahmed Babul, MA Sabur, Haji Yunus Ahmed, Nurul Islam Chowdhury, and Asifuzzaman Chowdhury.
The cases also implicate a large number of serving and former UCB officials from the Chawkbazar, Port and Bahaddarhat branches in Chattogram, including branch heads, vice presidents, operations managers, credit in-charges, and junior officers.
The complaints further name private individuals allegedly linked to the syndicate, including the proprietor of Alok International and employees of B&B Electronics, who are accused of collecting personal data of the victims and facilitating the fraudulent loan process.
ACC officials said the accused followed a similar pattern across all cases. Using intermediaries, they allegedly collected national identity cards, photographs, and other personal details of low-income individuals, including day labourers, farmers, auto-rickshaw drivers, football coaches, salon workers, and migrant workers.
Without the victims' knowledge, the accused then opened bank accounts in the names of fake business entities and secured loans by abusing official authority and breaching trust.
In the first case, the ACC alleges that Tk6.5 crore was embezzled by opening a loan account in the name of a fictitious firm called Islam Enterprise using the identity of a day labourer.
The second case involves Tk8 crore allegedly siphoned off through Asia Enterprise using the personal information of an auto-rickshaw driver.
In the third case, Tk7 crore was taken through a nonexistent firm named Moon Enterprise using the identity of a farmer and part-time labourer.
The fourth case alleges Tk4.4 crore was misappropriated through Alam Enterprise using the personal details of a football player and coach.
According to the fifth case statement, Tk9 crore was embezzled through a fake firm named Jupiter Enterprise by exploiting the identity of a farmer and day labourer.
The sixth case involves Tk8.95 crore allegedly siphoned off through Sun Sign Enterprise using the information of a migrant worker currently living in Dubai.
In the seventh case, the ACC alleges Tk9.3 crore was taken through Nazim and Sons by using the identity of a day labourer.
The eighth and final case accuses the syndicate of embezzling Tk3 crore through Al-Raji Enterprise using the personal information of a salon worker.
The ACC has brought charges under multiple sections of the Penal Code 1860, including Sections 406, 409, 420, 467, 468, 471, and 109, covering criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, and abetment. The accused have also been charged under Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1947 and Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act 2012.
ACC officials said investigations are ongoing and further legal action may follow if additional evidence is found.
