Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Sunday said based on intelligence reports of Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), a total of 121 money laundering cases were filed by various investigative agencies in between 2017 to 2022.

The finance minister also informed that some 15 cases involving Tk 367.55 crore were filed against bond organisations related to money laundering following inquiry of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate of the National Board of Revenue.

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The minister said this in reply to tabled questions from various lawmakers.

He said that the BFIU has sent 1002 intelligence reports to law enforcement agencies after examining 24,977 suspicious transactions involved in money laundering and terror financing in the last five financial years since 2017.

The minister said after receiving the intelligence report from BFIU, the relevant investigative agencies (ACC, CID, Security Exchange Commission, Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Central Intelligence Cell of the National Board of Revenue and Directorate of Narcotics Control) are carrying out necessary legal investigations and take actions in this regard.

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In response to a question from Awami League MP Habibur Rahman, the finance minister said 5.4 lakh taxpayers of the country have not submitted their income tax returns within the stipulated time frame for the current fiscal year 2022-23.

In reply to a query of AL MP Panir Uddin Ahmed, the finance minister said the government has no plans to increase the interest rate on national savings certificates for the benefit of government retired employees.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak told parliament that in between July 2022 and April this year, the ministry has requested Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission to remove 1,431 links published on different social media and sent alerts against 120 emergent cyber threats.

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In reply to a query from ruling Awami League MP, M Abdul Latif, the junior minister said social media – Facebook, TikTok, Messenger, YouTube etc. are regularly monitored by the government.