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The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Bangladesh Police has seized assets worth approximately Tk 62 crore belonging to individuals and entities linked to the e-commerce platform ‘Dhaka Shopping’ in a case involving the embezzlement of Tk 116 crore and money laundering. Among the seized properties is a multi-storied building (on a 5-katha plot) located at Plot No. 14, Road No. 3 and 2/A, Banani Model Town, Dhaka, owned by Dhaka Shopping’s Managing Director (MD), S.M.D. Jasim Uddin Chintir, with an estimated market value of Tk 50 crore.
Additionally, 41 decimals of land in Kashimpur Purbo Bagabari, Gazipur, registered under Micro Trade Food and Beverage Limited (C.S and S.A Dag No. 145; R.S Dag No. 365), valued at approximately Tk 12 crore, has also been seized.
The seizure was executed following an application by Assistant Superintendent of Police Al Mamun from CID’s Financial Crime Unit. On June 16, the Senior Special Judge and Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court in Dhaka issued the order to seize these assets.
CID’s investigation revealed that all accused individuals are currently abroad and have laundered a significant portion of the embezzled funds overseas. According to CID’s Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan, Dhaka Shopping operated illegally under the umbrella of Invariant Telecom Bangladesh Limited without valid registration from the Directorate of Joint Stock Companies and Firms or the City Corporation. The platform lured thousands of customers and sellers with promises of low-priced products, collecting crores of taka.
Despite not having its own bank account, Dhaka Shopping conducted transactions through Invariant Telecom Bangladesh Limited’s accounts at Southeast Bank, City Bank, and Dutch-Bangla Bank. An analysis of one Southeast Bank account revealed transactions worth Tk 588.91 crore related to Dhaka Shopping’s business. However, on June 27, 2021, the account balance was only Tk 93,731, indicating significant financial irregularities and evidence of fraud.
Further investigation showed that the embezzled funds were transferred to accounts linked to MD Chintir and related entities, including Micro Trade Food and Beverage Limited, in a clear case of money laundering. A team led by Special Superintendent of Police (Financial Crime) Abul Kalam Azad is conducting a detailed investigation into the matter.
AI/MR
