Highlights:
- CID filed a Fraud Case of money laundering against a man accused of extorting Tk 150 crore by misusing Khaleda Zia’s name.
- The suspect, Motalleb Hossain, posed as Khaleda Zia’s liaison officer.
- His fake company “ML Trading” had no real operations despite holding a trade license.
- Over Tk 20 crore transactions were traced in his bank account.
- Tk 5.03 crore in his bank accounts has already been frozen by court order.
Case Filed by CID
The Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) Financial Crime Unit has filed Fraud Case of money laundering against a group accused of fraud and extortion by using the name of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The group allegedly collected Tk 150 crore through false claims.
On Monday (8 September), this information was confirmed in a press release signed by Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jashim Uddin Khan.
Posing as Khaleda Zia’s Liaison Officer
The CID investigation revealed that a man named Motalleb Hossain had been pretending to be a liaison officer of Khaleda Zia for a long time. Using this false identity, he collected huge sums of money from businessmen and individuals.
The press release stated:
“অনুসন্ধানে জানা যায়, মোতাল্লেছ হোসেন নামের এক ব্যক্তি নিজেকে খালেদা জিয়ার লিয়াজোঁ অফিসার পরিচয় দিয়ে দীর্ঘদিন ধরে বিভিন্ন ব্যক্তি ও ব্যবসায়ীর কাছ থেকে কোটি কোটি টাকা হাতিয়ে নেন। তার নামে খোলা ব্যাংক হিসাবে প্রায় ২০ কোটি টাকার লেনদেনের প্রমাণও মিলেছে।”
Translation: “The investigation found that a man named Motalleb Hossain had been posing as Khaleda Zia’s liaison officer and collected crores of taka from various individuals and businessmen. Evidence of transactions worth nearly Tk 20 crore was also found in bank accounts under his name.”
Read More: Bangladesh Approves Export of 1,200 Tons of Hilsa to India for Durga Puja
Fake Business Exposed
CID also discovered that Motalleb’s business entity “ML Trading” was fake and had no real activities, even though it had a trade license under Dhaka North City Corporation.
The report mentioned:
“মোতাল্লেছ হোসেনের এম এল ট্রেডিং নামে একটি প্রতিষ্ঠান বাস্তবে অস্তিত্বহীন। … প্রতিষ্ঠানটির কোনো কার্যক্রম বা ঠিকাদারি, আমদানি-রপ্তানি কার্যক্রম পাওয়া যায়নি।”
Translation: “Motalleb Hossain’s company named ML Trading does not exist in reality. … No operational activities, contracting, or import-export work were found during the investigation.”
Collecting Money Using Khaleda Zia’s Illness
According to the allegations, Motalleb introduced himself at times as a garment’s owner, a tea garden entrepreneur, or a contractor to gain influence. Later, he approached BNP-affiliated individuals and claimed that Khaleda Zia was seriously ill, asking for financial help.
Using this excuse, he managed to collect around Tk 15 crore into his own bank account and then misappropriated the money.
The CID noted:
“তিনি বিএনপির দলীয় সংশ্লিষ্ট ব্যক্তিদের কাছে বেগম খালেদা জিয়ার অসুস্থতার কথা বলে তার নিজস্ব ব্যাংক হিসাবে প্রায় ১৫ কোটি টাকা সংগ্রহ করেন এবং তা আত্মসাৎ করেন।”
Translation: “He collected nearly Tk 15 crore into his personal bank account from BNP-related individuals by citing Begum Khaleda Zia’s illness and later misappropriated it.”
Currently, Tk 5.03 crore from his different bank accounts has been frozen by court order.
Case Details
On Sunday evening, a Fraud Case was filed at Pallabi Police Station under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 (sections 4(2)(4)). The case (No. 19) names Motalleb Hossain and two to three unidentified associates.
CID said the investigation is ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the fraud gang.
Source: Channel 24
