Masud Uddin shown arrested in money laundering case

Retired Lieutenant General Masud Uddin Chowdhury has been shown arrested in a money laundering case filed with Banani Police Station over allegations of embezzling Tk hundreds of crores in the name of sending workers abroad.

Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Sefatullah ordered that the former army officer be shown arrested in the case on Monday. Sub-Inspector Moktar Hossain of the prosecution division confirmed the matter.

According to the case statement, between August 18, 2016, and May 30, 2024, migrant workers sent to Malaysia were allegedly charged Tk 150,000 each instead of the government-fixed fee of Tk 78,990. A total of 9,372 workers were reportedly affected.

The case also alleges that an additional Tk 36,500 was collected from each worker in the name of passports, COVID-19 tests, medical examinations, and clothing expenses. As a result, the excess amount collected per worker stood at Tk 107,510.

Investigators claim that the accused illegally collected and laundered approximately Tk 100 crore 75 lakh 83 thousand 720 through fraud and deception.

The FIR states that the accused committed offenses punishable under the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012 by receiving, transferring, converting, and moving funds obtained through fraudulent means. A regular case has been filed in connection with the allegations.

Since the accused is currently in jail custody, investigators submitted an application seeking to show him arrested in the case to facilitate proper investigation proceedings.

Masud Uddin was earlier arrested from his residence in the Baridhara DOHS area of the capital on the night of March 23.

The following day, March 24, a court granted a five-day remand in a case filed with Paltan Police Station over allegations of forming a syndicate involved in embezzlement and human trafficking. Later, in July, he was also taken on remand in several other cases.