BFIU reports 1,002 cases on terror financing, money laundering

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has provided 1,002 intelligence reports to law enforcement agencies regarding money laundering and terror financing over the past five financial years since 2017, reports UNB.
Based on the findings of the BFIU, a total of 121 money laundering cases were filed by various investigative agencies between 2017 and 2022, according to Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal.
During a parliamentary session on Sunday, Minister Kamal also disclosed that the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate of the National Board of Revenue conducted an inquiry and filed 15 cases, amounting to Tk 367.55 crore, against bond organisations implicated in money laundering.
Responding to questions from lawmakers, Minister Kamal further said that the BFIU examined approximately 24,977 suspicious transactions associated with money laundering and terror financing. Subsequently, the unit sent 1,002 intelligence reports to law enforcement agencies during the last five financial years, starting from 2017.
The minister noted that upon receiving these intelligence reports, relevant agencies such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Securities and Exchange Commission, Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation, Central Intelligence Cell of the National Board of Revenue and Directorate of Narcotics Control are conducting thorough investigations and undertaking actions accordingly.
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 from 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.
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.