The Criminal Investigation Department (CID)'s Financial Crime Unit has filed a money laundering case against an individual accused of defrauding people and collecting extortion money by falsely using the name of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
This information was disclosed in a press release signed by CID's Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jashim Uddin Khan on Monday (September 8).
Investigation revealed that a person named Motallesh Hossain has been posing as Khaleda Zia's liaison officer for a long time and has swindled crores of taka from various individuals and businessmen. Evidence of transactions worth approximately Tk 20 crore has been found in bank accounts under his name.
Additionally, Motallesh Hossain's firm named "ML Trading" does not exist in reality. Although the firm holds a trade license from Dhaka North City Corporation, no business activities, contracting, or import-export operations were found during the probe.
Allegations state that he would sometimes pose as a garment owner, sometimes as a tea garden entrepreneur or contractor to build connections with influential circles. Later, by approaching BNP party affiliates and citing Begum Khaleda Zia's illness, he collected around Tk 15 crore in his bank account and misappropriated it. Currently, Tk 5 crore 3 lakh 33 thousand 782 in his various bank accounts has been frozen by court order.
The case was registered on September 7, 2025, at Pallabi Police Station under sections 4(2)(4) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 (Case No. 19). Motallesh Hossain and 2/3 unidentified persons have been named as accused.
Investigation into the fraud ring is ongoing to identify and arrest other involved parties.
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