United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Bank has ordered an immediate probe into alleged credit card fraud at Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Bangladesh, following reports of unauthorised transactions. The central bank is treating the matter with high priority through which a fraud group allegedly siphoned money from customer credit cards, sources in the banking sector said. A fraud group reportedly stole around Tk 27 lakh from 54 SCB customers in the last week of August, prompting the bank to temporarily suspend credit card transfers to MFS platforms like bKash and Nagad. Bankers in Bangladesh push for higher loan limits for homes, cars Victims reported that without their knowledge or any transaction, Tk 50,000 was transferred from their cards to bKash and Nagad accounts in each instance.  The money was then quickly withdrawn by the fraud group, and the MFS accounts were immediately closed. Bangladesh Bank officials said that the money sent to the fraudulent bKash and Nagad accounts was cashed out within minutes, and the accounts were subsequently shut down. This suggests an experienced fraud group is behind the incident. In messages sent to customers, the bank stated that the "Add Money" option to MFS apps had been temporarily suspended for security purposes. The bank also reported the matter to Bangladesh Bank and law enforcement agencies. Bangladesh Bank has already initiated an investigation. Bank merger: BB launches special payment scheme to protect depositors   Several victims took to social media to share their experiences. A customer named Hasin Haider wrote that Tk 50,000 was debited from his card and sent to a bKash account without any reason. Despite receiving an OTP on his phone, he claimed he did not share it with anyone. The transfer took only a few seconds, leading him to believe it was a security flaw on the bank's end. Another customer, Sadia Sharmin Brishti, said that after using her card for seven years, this was the first time she had been a victim of fraud, with Tk50,000 also being debited from her account. SCB officials said that after receiving multiple complaints, their local and global technology teams conducted a security review. RCBC requested to forfeit $81m over Bangladesh Bank reserve heist They, however, found no security flaws in the bank's system. They emphasized that since the transfers were made via MFS platforms, those institutions should bear responsibility for clarifying the matter.  

A Dhaka court on Wednesday placed former Food Minister Advocate Qamrul Islam on a five-day remand in a case over killing jhut trader Monir during July uprising. Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sadiqur Rahman passed the order when assistant sub-inspector of Shahbagh Police Station Mainul Islam produced him before the court with a 10-day remand prayer. Additional Public Prosecutor Advocate Muhammad Samsuddoha stood for the petitioner while Advocate Aftab Mahmud Chowdhury filed a petition challenging the remand prayer for his client. Former DNCC female councillor, AL leader arrested in Gulshan Detectives arrested Quamrul Islam from Uttara-12 in Dhaka on November 18, 2024. According to the case statement, Jhut trader Md Monir was shot dead during demonstrations in  Chankharpool area on August 5 last year. Rozina Akter, wife of Monir, filed a case with Shahbagh Police Station against 351 identified and 500 unidentified people on March 14. Quamrul was the no 7 accused in the case.

Police have arrested former female councillor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Mohila Awami League leader Hajera Khatun Nargis from Gulshan area. Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Talebur Rahman said she was arrested from the Gulshan on Tuesday night. Being tipped-off, a special team from Gulshan Police Station conducted a drive and rounded her up, he said. Later she was taken to Gulshan Police Station and a process was underway to take legal action against her, the official added.

  The Airport Armed Police (AAP) Battalion on Tuesday arrested a mother and her daughter at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with a total of 7,580 yaba pills. The arrested women have been identified as Rozina (40) and Fahmida Yasmin (20). The two were allegedly carrying the drugs in a specially concealed manner inside the steel handles of two trolley bags and on their bodies while travelling as airline passengers. The arrests took place at 1:35 pm based on secret information, when Rozina and Fahmida arrived on an internal flight (BS-146) from Cox’s Bazar. The women were taken to the AAP office for questioning, during which the concealed drugs were recovered. Officers found 5,800 pills in the trolley handles and 1,780 pills hidden on Rozina’s body. DB arrests 3; seizes 5,000 Yaba tablets A case has been filed against them under the Narcotics Control Act 2018 at the Airport Police Station in Dhaka. Authorities said both women have been allegedly involved in drug trafficking and distribution for a long time. Commenting on the arrest, AAP Operational Commander Police Superintendent Mozammel Haque said, “There has been a recent surge in drug smuggling attempts using the airport. We remain vigilant to prevent any criminal activity through airport channels.”  

Police were deployed on Tuesday at the home of former United States Chhatra League president Zahid Hasan in Shariatpur following an egg-throwing incident in New York that sparked controversy. Zahid Hasan’s family home is located in Telipara village of Chamta union, Naria upazila of Shariatpur district. Following the incident, tensions rose in the area, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures. Police are stationed at the residence to prevent any untoward situation and maintain law and order. Dr. Ashiq Mahmud, Additional Superintendent of Police (Naria Circle), said, “We have sent police to the area due to concerns that the law and order situation might deteriorate. The deployment is a precautionary measure to ensure safety and prevent any conflict.” The controversy began on September 22, when Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus visited New York to participate in the United Nations General Assembly. 'Not afraid of this', NCP leader Akhter says after harassment by AL in NY

A court has ordered the authorities concerned to confiscate moveable and immoveable properties and freeze bank accounts of former Thakurgaon-2 MP Md Dabirul Islam following an appeal by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).  Senior Special Judge Md Jamal Hossain passed the order on Sunday, said assistant director of ACC’s integrated Thakurgaon district office Azmir Sharif Marzi. On September 11 ACC Assistant Director and investigating officer Imran Hossain filed a petition seeking confiscation of Dabirul Islam’s property. The ACC found that Dabirul amassed assets worth Tk 1.48 crore beyond his known income under his and his family members’ names through abuse of power, irregularities, and extensive corruption. In petition the ACC said these immovable and movable assets could be transferred or sold if not confiscated. Court orders ACC to seek Interpol red notice against ex-MP Saifuzzaman, wife Dabirul, currently in Dinajpur district jail, faces multiple cases including murder and extortion and has secured bail in several of them. Dabirul first became an MP in 1986 and was elected seven consecutive times from Thakurgaon-2 serving until the 2018 eleventh national parliament. On October 2 last year, police arrested him from the residence of Thakurgaon Sadar Awami League leader Alamgir Hossain in connection with an extortion case.

A Chattogram court on Sunday ordered the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to request Interpol to issue red notice against former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed and his wife Rukmila Zaman in a graft case. Chattogram Senior Metropolitan Special Judge Abdur Rahman passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the ACC. Advocate Mokarram Hossain, a counsel of ACC said a petition was filed by the National Central Bureau of Police Headquarters with the court seeking to make a request to the Interpol to issue red notice against Saifuzzaman and his wife on September 18. Saifuzzaman served as State Minister for Land from 2014–2018 and as full minister from 2019–2023. Ctg, Narsingdi, Naogaon get new DCs ahead of election Ahead of the 2024 election, allegations surfaced of his vast overseas assets, particularly in the United Kingdom. Media reports claimed he fled to London with his family in August 2024, just before the Awami League government fell. Over 300 such properties have subsequently been frozen by the UK's National Crime Agency. The value of these properties has been estimated in excess of $230 million. Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday seized 23 sacks of documents from the Chattogram home of Saifuzzaman Chowdhury’s driver Elias during a raid linked to a probe into his suspected overseas assets and money laundering.

Gosairhat Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Maksud Alam was withdrawn and attached to the police lines after allegations surfaced that he gave special privileges to a BNP leader in exchange for money, confirmed Additional Superintendent of Police (Gosairhat Circle) Tanvir Hossain on Saturday afternoon. According to police and local sources, BNP’s former Nagerpara Union president Liton Hawlader was arrested recently and sentenced to one year and two months. Allegations emerged that OC Maksud provided him a VIP bed inside the lockup and allowed him to use a mobile phone after taking bribes. Photos of Liton's life behind bars spread on social media, drawing criticism about police accountability. Further allegations against the OC included releasing accused persons in exchange for bribes, taking payments from illegal sand extractors, collecting money during hilsa conservation drives, running arbitration at the police station late at night and making deals with illegal traders. Following primary investigation, the allegations were found true. Additional SP Tanvir Hossain said, “Further action will be taken as per higher authorities’ decision.” The incident sparked strong reactions in the local political community, with residents saying such practices undermine public trust in the justice system.

The Bangladesh Army is conducting a long-term operation against armed hill groups in the remote Jogapara area of Panchhari upazila in Khagrachhari district. Early Saturday, during a search operation at the house of a suspected active member of the United People's Democratic Front (UPDF), an exchange of fire took place between an army patrol team and 15-20 armed members of the UPDF in the neighborhood. During the operation, the army recovered a Russian pistol, 2 magazines, 200 rifle rounds, 8 bullets, a walkie-talkie set, uniforms and other accessories from the area, according to the source of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). However, due to rugged and remote terrain, the armed group managed to escape. Army members seize firearms, drugs from Narail shop The Bangladesh Army quoted, “We remain committed to protecting the lives and property of all communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and will continue strict operations against armed groups in the future”. Legal action against the involved members is underway.

There is no alternative to strengthening tobacco control law with a view to achieving SDGs, preventing loss of lives and building a tobacco-free generation, experts said at a roundtable in the capital on Saturday. The roundtable titled "Building a Tobacco-Free Generation: Citizens' Perspectives on Strengthening TC Law", organised jointly by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) and Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA) was held at CIRDAP Auditorium. The experts said tobacco works as a major impediment towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh. In particular, tobacco frustrates SDG Target 3.4 which is to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by one-third within 2030, said the speakers. In Bangladesh, 71% of all deaths are attributed to non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer with tobacco use being a major contributing factor. On average, tobacco claims the lives of 442 individuals every day, they said. Speakers also said that tobacco works as a barrier to achieving all major sustainable development goals, such as Good Health, Poverty Reduction, Food Safety and Sustainable Agriculture, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Conservation of Environment and Climate; thus, potentially hindering the realization of SDGs within 2030. Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, a former caretaker government adviser and prominent economist, said, "The harms of tobacco are multifaceted. Since the current government is undertaking reforms in many sectors, the amendment of the tobacco control law would be a signature reform for the government." Professor Dr. Golam Mohiuddin Faruque, President, Bangladesh Cancer Society (BCS) who conducted experience-sharing session of tobacco-induced cancer victims, said, "We have listened to the woes of the victims. We do not want to hear such dreadful experiences anymore. To safeguard the future generation, the draft amendment of the tobacco control law needs to get the nod as soon as possible." Dr. Abu Jamil Faisel, public health expert and president-elect of Public Health Association, said, "There is no alternative to strengthening tobacco control law to deal with the prevalence of NCDs. I urge the government to ensure quick passage of the amendment." Experts call tobacco industry report “absurd, laughable” Dr. Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), said, "The amendment of tobacco control law has no relation with potential loss in revenue inflow. To protect public health, the amendment process must be free from tobacco industry interference." Professor Dr. Anupam Hossain, Public health expert and international sports development consultant; said, "E-cigarettes and vaping are equally harmful to traditional tobacco products. So, these products must be banned at all cost." Among the discussants were Mortuza Haider Liton, Convenor of ATMA; AMB Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA and representatives of a number of anti-tobacco organizations. Nadira Kiron, Co-convener of ATMA hosted the event whereas Hasan Shahriar, Head of Programs, PROGGA, presented the key points.