Staff Reporter:
The Financial Crime Unit (FCU) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has filed a money laundering case on the charges of defrauding and extorting Tk 15 crore in the name of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
The case was registered under Section 4(2)(4) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012. Motalles Hossain and two to three other unidentified persons have been accused in the case.
Special Superintendent of Police (Media), CID, Dhaka, Jasim Uddin Khan confirmed the matter.
During the investigation, the CID has found that Motalles Hossain has been defrauding crores of money from various individuals and businessmen for a long time, impersonating Khaleda Zia’s liaison officer.
Evidence of transactions of about Tk 20 crore in a bank account opened in his name was also found.
The investigation further revealed that a company named Motalles Hossain’s ML Trading does not exist in reality. Despite having a trade license from Dhaka North City Corporation, no import-export activities of the company were found during the investigation.
Motalles Hossain used to establish relations with influential circles by introducing himself as a garment owner, tea garden entrepreneur or contractor, the CID sources said.
Later, he collected about Tk 15 crore in his own bank account by telling BNP party officials about Begum Khaleda Zia’s illness and embezzled the money.
Currently, over Tk 5.3 crore in his various bank accounts has been frozen by the court.
The CID is continuing the investigation into the case and working to identify and arrest others involved in the fraud ring.
