Investigation launches over siphoning

Staff Reporter :

Despite various initiatives, irregularities and malpractice in air ticketing continue in the country. Now, a new method has emerged where a company named Symon Overseas Limited is accused of selling air tickets to launder a substantial amount of money abroad.

Considering the seriousness of the matter, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has already launched an investigation. According to sources, the company allegedly transferred around Tk 16 crore abroad through cross-border ticket sales.

Sources from the Ministry and the travel agent sector report that Symon Overseas allowed its Global Distribution System (GDS) ID, registered with its Dhaka office, to be used by various foreign travel agencies. Tickets were sold abroad through this ID in violation of regulations. However, the revenue from these ticket sales did not return to the country through legal channels. The company is accused of deliberately using this method to launder money.

A ministry official stated that an official letter has been sent to Asfia Jannat Saleh, Managing Director of Symon Overseas Limited, asking her to explain the money laundering through cross-border ticket sales. The letter, sent last Monday, required a written response within three working days.

The letter mentioned that from January 4 of last year to August 21 of this year, Symon Overseas sold a total of 1,894 air tickets to countries including Malaysia, Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and various European countries using Bangladesh’s International Air Transport Association (IATA) GDS ID. The approximate value of these tickets is at least Tk 16 crore. While passengers paid for these tickets from those countries, the money did not return to Bangladesh, according to the allegations.

Conversations with travel industry professionals revealed that travel agents usually have their own GDS ID, which must be operated from Bangladesh. When tickets are sold through this ID, payments are made to the respective airlines via IATA, and the funds are added to the country’s reserves as remittance.

However, Symon Overseas allowed its GDS ID to be used by foreign travel agencies. As a result, although tickets were sold abroad, the funds did not return to Bangladesh. Industry insiders claim that this is how the company became involved in money laundering.

Investigations also reveal that Asfia Jannat Saleh had served as the General Secretary of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB). She is accused of being involved in various irregularities using that position. Consequently, in August of this year, the Ministry dissolved the ATAB committee due to allegations of corruption, malpractice, and embezzlement against its president and general secretary. Since the committee was dissolved, multiple allegations of air ticket malpractice have surfaced against Asfia Jannat Saleh.