ACC launches drive against money laundering through misinvoicing

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an inquiry against money launderers who smuggle money through over or under-invoicing under the guise of imports and exports.

Based on the information received from the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the commission has formed an inquiry team and started working in full swing.

Speaking to media at the ACC head office in Segunbagicha on Monday, the commission's secretary Muhammad Anwar Hossain Hawlader said the NBR had sent some information on over-invoicing based on the ACC's demand, based on which the watchdog had formed a four-member team.

He said the team is currently conducting search operations which will take some time to be completed as the operations are on a large scale. The commission has started getting information from the NBR in response to its demand.

The secretary hopes that from now on, the NBR will provide the information to the ACC regularly as soon as it receives the information on over-invoicing.

"The ACC received an allegation against some garment owners for acquiring an illegal asset with the help of public servants and smuggling an average of Tk64,000 crore every year from Bangladesh under the guise of imports and exports. Additionally, Al Muslim Group allegedly smuggled Tk175 crore," he added. 

He said two inquiry teams – a three-member and four-member one – were investigating the allegations separately. The commission would review the report submitted by the inquiry teams and take action as per the law.

Responding to a question from reporters, the ACC secretary further said the commission is investigating allegations of illegal acquisition of assets against Election Commission officials including the Chief Election Commissioner.