Money laundering: ACC seeks tax records of 70 Bangladeshis holding Dubai golden visa

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has identified 70 individuals suspected of laundering money from Bangladesh to acquire substantial assets in Dubai under its "Golden Visa" programme.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior ACC official told The Business Standard that as part of its investigation, the anti-graft agency has formally requested the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to provide detailed tax information on these individuals, including their electronic Taxpayer Identification Numbers (e-TINs), income tax returns and related documents.

The letter sent to the NBR, however, did not specify their positions or detailed identities.

The request was made through an official letter signed by ACC deputy director and investigation team leader Ram Prasad Mandal.

According to the letter, the properties in Dubai were allegedly purchased using funds laundered through Swiss banks and other foreign financial institutions.

When contacted, ACC Director General (prevention) Md Akhter Hossain said the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the investigating officer. "Under ACC procedures, investigators are authorised to summon any documents deemed necessary for their inquiry."

The 70 individuals include Ahsanul Karim, Anjuman Ara Shahid, Hefzul Bari Mohammad Iqbal, Humayra Selim, Juran Chandra Bhowmik, Md Rabbi Khan, Mohammad Golam Mostafa, Mohammad Oliur Rahman, SA Khan Ikhtekhairuzzaman, Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, Syed Fahim Ahmed, Syed Hasnain, Syed Mahmudul Haque, Syed Ruhul Haque, Golam Mohammad Bhuiyan, Haji Mostafa Bhuiyan, Monoj Kanti Pal, Md Iftekhar Uddin Chowdhury, and Md Mahbubul Haque Sarkar.

Others include Md Selim Reza, Mohammad Elias Bajlur Rahman, SU Ahmed, Shehtaz Munshi Khan, AKM Fazlur Rahman, Abu Yusuf Md Abdullah, Chowdhury Nafiz Sarafat, Gulzar Alam Chowdhury, Hasan Ashiq Taimur Islam, Hasan Reza Mohidul Islam, Khaled Mahmud, M Sajjad Alam, Mohammad Yasin Ali, Mostafa Amir Faisal, Rifat Ali Bhuiyan, Salimul Haque Isa/Hakim Mohammad Isa, Syed AK Anwaruzzaman/Syed Kamruzzaman, Syed Salman Masud, Syed Saimul Haque, Abdul Hai Sarkar, and Ahmed Samir Pasha.

Also on the list are Fahmida Shabnam Chaiti, Md Abul Kalam, Fatema Begum Kamal, Mohammad Al Ruman Khan, Maynul Haque Siddiqui, Munia Awan, Sadiq Hossain Md. Shakil, Abdullah Mamun Maruf, Mohammad Arman Hossain, Mohammad Shawkat Hossain Siddiqui, Mostafa Jamal Naser, Ahmed Imran Chowdhury, Billal Hossain, M.A. Hashem, Mohammad Main Uddin Chowdhury, Natasha Noor Mumu, Syed Mizan Mohammad Abu Hanif Siddiqui, Sayeda Durrak Sinda Zara, Ahmed Ifzal Chowdhury, Farhana Monem, Farzana Anjum Khan, KH Moshiur Rahman, MA Salam, Md Ali Hossain, Mohammad Imdadul Haque Bhorosha, Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Rohen Kabir, Monjila Morshed, Mohammad Sanaullah Chowdhury, Mohammad Sarful Islam, Syed Rafiqul Alam, and Anisuzzaman Chowdhury.

On 16 April 2023, the ACC had sought information from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding money laundering and assets acquired in Dubai.

On 10 April that year, the ACC had formed a three-member committee to investigate these allegations.

Later, on 16 January 2024, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh directed the ACC and relevant authorities to investigate the allegations against 459 Bangladeshis reportedly owning properties in Dubai.

According to reports by US-based Center for Advanced Defense Studies and the European organisation EU Tax Observatory, as of 2020, these 459 individuals collectively owned 972 properties in Dubai, valued at approximately $313 million on paper.