The crisis-ridden e-commerce companies, including Eorange, are yet to refund an estimated amount of Tk 1.22 billion to the affected clients.
The volume of clients' stuck-up funds with 27 such online shopping platforms was a staggering Tk 5.25 billion, according to the Bangladesh Bank data.
According to the Ministry of Commerce, 15 companies returned more than Tk 4.02 billion to 66,541 clients until April 09 last.
A dozen of the troubled companies are yet to start refunding their customers. The sites include Needs, Twenty-four TKT, Eorange, Wikum, Akash Neel, Priya Shop, Aladdin's Lamp, Amar Bazaar, Astha Pratik, Home Shop.com, Safe and Infinity Marketing Limited.
The scam-hit Evaly has started refunding to its customers as the ministry has made a move in this regard.
The refund activity is going at a slow pace now, said a source.
Started refunding the affected clients in January 2022, the commerce ministry has now expressed the hope that the remaining amount would be refunded to the customers concerned in the next couple of months.
Nagad, bKash, Software Shop (SSL), ShurjoMukhi, Foster Corporation and United Commercial Bank are working as the payment gateways and service-providing firms.
A state security intelligence agency has suggested amending the circular of the payment systems department of Bangladesh Bank and mentioning the date of delivery period of ordered products.
The recommendation has been forwarded to the central bank to take steps in this regard.
The circular has not mentioned any specific time for delivering the ordered goods by the e-commerce companies. The intelligence report has cited smouldering fury as well as frustration among the victims.
The government on February 06 introduced the Digital Business Identification (DBID) system to bring discipline in the crisis-ridden ecommerce sector. The state-backed Registrar of the Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) issued the DBID.
Experts suggested that the government take prompt steps to restore client confidence for the sake of the resilience in the e-commerce sector.
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