Dhaka, Sep 09 (V7N) – The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) plans to enlist the assistance of the United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in recovering money laundered from Bangladesh, ACC Secretary Khorsheda Yasmeen announced today.

"The ACC will seek help from the FBI on money laundering issues if needed," Yasmeen stated after a meeting between officials from the ACC and FBI. She highlighted that the ACC has a dedicated money laundering wing and is ready to cooperate with international agencies to bring the laundered funds back to Bangladesh.

Yasmeen added that the FBI has pledged its support in helping the ACC in its efforts. The meeting follows reports of significant sums of money being laundered abroad during the tenure of the Awami League-led government.

A two-member FBI delegation visited the ACC headquarters, where discussions focused on money laundering. While specific details of the meeting were not immediately disclosed, it was confirmed that FBI officials met with ACC’s money laundering and legal wings, including the director general and senior officials.

The ACC secretary noted that while her agency is taking steps to combat money laundering, other institutions are also involved in preventing the illicit outflow of funds. "If everyone works together, money laundering can be stopped," she said, outlining the ACC’s internal procedures for recovering stolen money.

In the aftermath of the ousting of the Awami League-led government, reports have surfaced alleging that over Tk 1 lakh crore has been laundered by former government officials, lawmakers, and politicians. A recent press statement from the Chief Adviser's Office indicated that audits will be conducted to determine the exact amount, though initial estimates suggest the figure could exceed Tk 1 lakh crore.

Much of the laundered money was reportedly transferred to Dubai, Singapore, and the United States. Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur recently stated that efforts are underway to recover these foreign assets, with some families implicated in owning hundreds of properties abroad.

Among those being investigated for alleged money laundering are Salman F Rahman, S Alam Group, former social welfare minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed, former state minister for civil aviation and tourism Md Mahbub Ali, and former MP Akhtaruzzaman Babu. The ACC and the Central Investigation Department (CID) have launched investigations into these individuals.

The CID is specifically investigating Salman F Rahman, vice chairman of Beximco Group and adviser to deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for allegedly laundering Tk 33,470 crore. Additionally, S Alam Group's chairman, Saiful Alam Masud, is under investigation for allegedly laundering Tk 1.13 lakh crore through informal money transfer channels.

There are successful international precedents for recovering laundered funds. Malaysia, for example, recovered $1.4 billion related to the 1MDB scandal with the assistance of the US Department of Justice. Similarly, Switzerland returned $321 million to Nigeria from the family of former military ruler Sani Abacha, demonstrating that with cooperation, laundered assets can be recovered.

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