ACC files cases against Malaysia-bound 60 overseas companies for embezzling Tk 45 billion
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The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Wednesday filed cases against owners, chairmen, managing directors, directors, and other accused persons of 60 overseas companies, allegedly for embezzling Tk 45 billion by overcharging the Malaysian expatriates than the official rate.
The companies formed a syndicate while holding various positions in BAIRA.
They violated BAIRA’s registration conditions and used political influence from the ruling party. By doing so, they charged migrant workers several times higher than the government-fixed fee of Tk 78,990 for recruitment under the Bangladesh–Malaysia agreement.
These companies were appointed as recruiting agents for sending workers to Malaysia.
But instead of following the approved job offers, selection rules, and financial regulations, the accused intentionally allowed irregularities and corruption.
They favoured certain recruiting agencies, harmed the recruited workers illegally, and took extra money at different stages outside the official contract to gain illegal profit.
As part of this criminal conspiracy, the accused received illegal payments, took unauthorised benefits, avoided duties they were supposed to perform under the contract, and used their political connections as influential BAIRA members to collect extra money.
They then concealed, transferred, and laundered the illegally obtained funds.
Through this collusion and criminal breach of trust, they charged migrant workers several times more than the official cost and took extra money for passports, medical tests, and other fees. In total, the accused embezzled more than Tk 45 billion.
These acts fall under Penal Code sections 120(B), 161, 162, 163, 164, 165(A), 420, 409 and sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.
Earlier, 40 separate cases were filed against owners, chairmen, managing directors, and directors of 40 overseas companies involving Tk 34.38 billion and 108 accused.
Those cases are still under investigation.
With the new 60 cases filed on Wednesday, the total number of cases now stands at 100, with 232 accused, and the total embezzled amount is Tk 79.84 billion.