On Monday, 9 March, Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge, Md. Sabbir Foyez, issued an order to freeze 445 bank accounts in connection with ongoing cybercrime investigations. The directive was granted following an application submitted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Bangladesh Police. Court bench assistant Md. Riaz Hossain confirmed the issuance of the order.
Table of Contents
Background of the Investigation
The application was presented in court by CID’s Additional Superintendent of Police, Suman Kumar Saha. According to the petition, Sheikh Md. Wazih Uddin, a former official of City Bank PLC, had fallen victim to online fraud, resulting in deposits totalling BDT 5.12 million across five of his accounts.
Further investigation revealed that SM Junaidul Haque, Omar Hit Hitlu, Mehedi Hasan Talukdar, and 61 other individuals, along with their associated organisations, were involved in financial transactions spanning 595 bank accounts. Records show total deposits of approximately BDT 12.12 billion and withdrawals amounting to nearly BDT 12.07 billion.
Analysis of Financial Transactions
A detailed review of these accounts indicates involvement in multiple illicit activities, including:
Online fraud and gambling
Online gaming and betting
Hundi operations and cross-border currency smuggling
Cryptocurrency trading
Customs evasion and money laundering
Given the scale and nature of these transactions, the court deemed the freezing of the relevant accounts essential to prevent further financial misconduct.
Summary of Transactions
| Individual / Organisation | Number of Accounts | Deposits (BDT crore) | Withdrawals (BDT crore) | Primary Allegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheikh Md. Wazih Uddin | 5 | 0.51 | 0 | Online fraud |
| SM Junaidul Haque & associates | 595 | 1,212 | 1,207 | Gambling, Hundi, Cryptocurrency |
| 61 Other Individuals | Included | Included | Included | Online fraud and suspicious transactions |
Significance of the Court Order
Legal experts have described this judicial intervention as a strong signal against cybercrime, online gambling, and financial fraud. Controlling such large-scale monetary flows and ensuring accountability among the parties involved is considered critical for national cybersecurity and financial transparency.
In conclusion, the freezing of 445 bank accounts represents a significant step towards safeguarding Bangladesh’s cyber and financial ecosystem, reinforcing the rule of law and promoting responsible financial practices.