Crisis-ridden e-commerce companies like Eorange, Needs and 24TKT Shop are yet to pay more than Tk 1.39 billion back to their customers, sources said.
The volume of customers' funds stuck up with more than two dozens of such online shopping platforms is around Tk 5.25 billion, according to Bangladesh Bank data.
More than a dozen companies returned over Tk 3.86 billion of the total blocked money until November 22, 2023. Some 5,572 customers received the money until then.
Qcoom, Alesha Mart, Dalal Plus, Boom Boom, Anander Bazar, Tholay.com, Dhamaka, Shreshth.com, Alifworld, Bangladesh Deal, Sophetic, 99-Global, Adyan Mart, Evaly, and Sirajgonj Shop refunded the money.
But, the refund activities by the e-commerce firms are in the slow lane, according to a source involved with the issue.
Troubled platforms like Needs, 24TKT, Eorange, Akash Neel, Priya Shop, Aladdin's Lamp, Amar Bazaar, Astha Pratik, Home Shop.com, Safe and Infinity Marketing Ltd are yet to give the customers' money back.
The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) could not make it clear when the remaining amount would be refunded to the customers concerned.
The nine payment gateways and service-providing firms with which funds are struck up include bKash, Nagad, Software Shop, ShurjoMukhi and Foster Corporation.
The ministry started refunding the clients in January 2022.
The government authorities concerned have taken multiple steps in the wake of a slew of scandals by the dubious e-commerce platforms.
It later introduced the Digital Business Identification (DBID) system to bring discipline in the crisis-ridden e-commerce sector of the country. The Registrar of the Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) issues the DBID.
Experts suggested the government to take prompt steps to restore customer confidence for the sake of the burgeoning e-commerce sector in the country.
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