DHAKA: Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) directed authorities concerned to freeze the bank accounts of casino businessmen, including arrested Jubo League leaders Khalid Mahmud Bhuiyan and GK Shamim.

At the same time, it sought information on GK Shamim's bank account within five working days.

Abu Hena Mohammad Razi Hasan, head of BFIU, confirmed the matter to journalists.

He said, “The banks have been instructed to keep the bank accounts of casino businessmen suspended in order to prevent money laundering and fraudulent transactions. If any irregularities are found against the arrested Jubo League leaders, action will be taken”.

The letter sent to the banks stated that the bank accounts of wives, children and parents of Khalid Mahmud and GK Shamim, should keep suspended and all the information should be infromed to BFIU within five working days.

After receiving the required information from the banks, the BFIU will look into how the transactions took place in the bank accounts of the accused, Abu Hena Mohammad Razi Hasan said.

He said the matter would be informed to law enforcement later. Accounts will be seized if suspicious transactions are proved.

After the arrest of two leaders, the banks went to the central bank when a few cheques were deposited to withdraw huge amount from GK Shamim's bank account.

Later, these cheques were stopped.

Following the incidents, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit sent a directive on Sunday to the chief executive officer of the scheduled banks across the country.

Earlier on September 18, Jubo League Dhaka South Organising Secretary Khalid Mahmud Bhuiyan was arrested from his Gulshan residence, in the wake of the crackdown at a casino in the football club while GK Shamim, who has made a fortune as a contractor and identifies himself as a Jubo League leader, has been arrested in a raid on his business in Dhaka’s Niketon on September 20.

BDST: 1928 HRS, SEP 23, 2019
RS/SMS