The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has taken an initiative to order the seizure of two luxury cars, two houses and 12 bank accounts found in the United States in the name of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, reports bdnews24.com.
Accordingly, the commission is sending a mutual legal assistance request (MLAR) to the US.
On Sept 9, the court ordered the seizure of the property based on the ACC's application. As a continuation, the ACC is sending the MLAR to the US. ACC Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer
Aktarul Islam confirmed to bdnews24.com that a court order was received to seize Joy's assets.
Citing information from the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), the ACC application says: "The accused, Sajeeb Wazed, has made illegal investments in the United States. He purchased property by transferring money abroad without the permission of Bangladesh Bank and concealed it in his income tax return to the National Board of Revenue."
ACC also says, "It is very important to freeze and annex Joy's immovable and movable assets in the United States immediately."
Earlier, in July, the court ordered the seizure of Joy's two houses in the United States following an application by the ACC.
According to ACC records, Joy has two real estate properties in the United States. One of them is in the Great Falls area of Virginia. On Jun 3, 2024, the price of the house stood at $3,879,560.
The other one is located in Falls Church, Virginia. The owners of the house are Joy and his wife Christine O Wazed. On May 5, 2014, the house was valued at $996,875.
Citing the investigation, the ACC also said in its application to the court that Joy has at least 12 bank accounts and eight cars in the United States. However, the application did not mention the amount of money transacted through these accounts and companies.
It said that the accused opened multiple bank accounts abroad under different names and made illegal money transactions.
ACC documents showed that Joy had at least six companies in the United States under his name - Golden Bengal Productions LLC, Prime Holding LLC, Wazed Inn, Osiris Capital Partners LLC, Blue Heaven Ventures LLC and Troupe Technologies LLC.
Seven business accounts- current and savings- have been opened in the names of these companies. Additionally, Joy has five personal bank accounts, one of which is a joint account with his ex-wife Christina Wazed.
Prime Holding LLC is a partnership between Joy and a person named Muhammad Farid Khan. These bank accounts were opened between 2018 and 2023.
Besides, Joy's vehicles include a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, a Lexus GX 460, a Land Rover Range Rover, a McLaren 720S, a Mercedes-Benz AMG GT and two Jeep Grand Cherokees.
One of the cars is registered under the name of his former wife, Christina Wazed.
On Sept 9, the court ordered the authorities to seize the vehicles as well.
ACC Director General Md Akter Hossain said in this regard, "The investigation into the case filed by the ACC against Sajeeb Wazed Joy is ongoing. The investigation officer can take the initiative to seize any assets of the accused if he deems necessary. In that case, the application will be made with the permission of the court. These seized assets will be presented as signs and evidence during the trial of the case."
On Aug 14, the ACC filed a case against Joy on charges of amassing assets worth around Tk 600 million "outside of known sources of income". He was blamed for "suspicious transactions, corruption and bribery" as well. ACC said it gathered the information while investigating the case.
According to the ACC, Joy "laundered money" through Hundi and other illegal channels by "abusing his power" while serving as Sheikh Hasina's information and communication technology advisor. Later, with that money, he acquired ownership of these cars in the United States.
The corruption watchdog also said Joy acquired the "illegal assets" through "bribery and corruption" and "smuggled them" from 2000 to June 30, 2024. Hasina was ousted through a mass uprising on Aug 5 last year and fled the country ending the 15-year rule of her party, the Awami League.
Her sister Sheikh Rehana also left the country on that day.
Hasina's son and former advisor Joy was already an expatriate living in the United States. The ACC says that although it is mandatory for a Bangladeshi citizen to disclose all information about his sources of income in his income tax return, Joy "did not do so" and "siphoned" money abroad.
