Bangladesh Bank (BB) has sought information on all bank accounts and transaction details of Jubo Mohila League’s expelled Narsingdi district unit general secretary Shamima Nur Papiya.
The Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) of BB sent letters to the banks Tuesday seeking account information of Papiya, who made fortune through extortion, escort service and blackmail.
Admitting the matter, a BB official said, “We usually ask banks for someone’s account information in line with the requirement of government agencies.”
He said several government agecies have sought for the information after Papiya’s name surfaced in the financial crimes, including money luandering.
The banks have been asked to provide the information within seven days.
Papiya and her husband Mofizur Rahman Sumon made fortune through escort service arms and drug trade, extortion and blackmal.
Later on the next day, RAB conducted a drive at the couple’s Narsingdi and Farmgate residences and recovered Tk 58 lakh in cash, illegal arams and ammunition, foreign currency and liquor.
Earlier on February 22, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-1 arrested the couple from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while fleeing the country.
Currently, Papiya and Sumon are on a 15-day remand.
The Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police is currently interrogating Papiya, his husband Sumon and their associate Sabbir Khondakar and Taiba Nur.
Sources said Papiya built a huge crime empire at a five-star hotel in Dhaka. Coktail parties were being arranged there with beautiful gilrls entertianed high-profile gusts. She used to take videos of such ‘immoral activiies’ secretly and used it to blackmail people.
Sources said, Papiya earned huge amount of money by blackmailing dozens of influential persons with intimate videos.
It was alleged that Papiya and her husband laundered a big sum of their ill-gotted money to Thailand and Malaysia.
The Organised Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has already launched an investigation in this regard.
Papiya and her husband have deposited around Tk 3 crore with two accounts in Thailand and Malaysia, said investigators quoting confession of the couple.
“Papiya confessed siphoning off huge amount of money aboard during interrogation. Investigators got information about her illegal wealth at home and abroad,” said an investigator adding, “Her husband also owns a bar in Thailand.”
