Scam-hit dotcoms yet to refund Tk 1.62b

Scam-hit e-commerce companies like Eorange, Qcoom and Sirajganj Shop have still to pay more than Tk 1.62 billion back to their customers, sources said.
The volume of customers' funds stuck up with an estimated 27 such online shopping platforms is around Tk 5.25 billion, according to the central bank data.
More than a dozen companies returned over Tk 3.62 billion of the total blocked money until April 26, according to commerce ministry.
Troubled sites like Qcoom, Sirajganj Shop, 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 refund.
The commerce ministry could not make it clear when the remaining amount would be refunded to the customers concerned.
The nine payment gateways and service-providing firms include bKash, Nagad, Software Shop, ShurjoMukhi and Foster Corporation.
The ministry started refunding clients in January 2022.
The government authorities concerned have taken multiple steps in the wake of a slew of scandals by 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 that the government take prompt steps to restore customer confidence for the sake of the burgeoning e-commerce sector in the country.
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