Over 300 individuals including 50 former female MPs under NBR scanner

Highlights: 

• 50 former female MPs and 100 officials from public admin and police cadres under probe
• Others include actors like Shomi Kaiser, sports figures like Shakib, corrupt NBR officials
• Overseas assets of 20 individuals in Canada and other countries are being traced
• 20 companies are also being investigated for tax offences and money laundering

The newly established Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is probing over 300 individuals – including government officials, policemen, judges, artists, journalists and former lawmakers – suspected of tax evasion and illicit wealth accumulation.

According to officials of the unit, the list includes 50 former female MPs of the 12th Jatiya Sangsad, along with nearly 100 officials from the public administration and police cadres involved in the 2018 and 2024 elections – both of which were controversial and allegedly rigged by the former Awami League government, which was deposed from power in August last year.

Also under investigation are popular actors like Shomi Kaiser, journalists, judges and sports figures like Shakib Al Hasan, and even NBR officials accused of corruption in customs and taxation. Retired government officials are also included in the probe.

The Tax Intelligence Unit is also working to trace the overseas assets of 20 individuals in Canada and other countries. An NBR team recently visited Dubai to investigate claims of tax evasion and illicit asset accumulation by individuals with close ties to the former government.

Additionally, 20 companies are being investigated for tax offences.

"Substantial tax fraud by one company has already been uncovered since the Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit began operating recently. The company has admitted to the fraud and has already deposited some funds into the government treasury," a Tax Intelligence Unit official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told TBS, requesting that the name of the company not be disclosed at this moment.

There are allegations of widespread tax evasion and money laundering by influential figures during the 15-year tenure of the previous Awami League government. 

The White Paper Committee, established to investigate financial irregularities, estimated that approximately Tk28 lakh crore was smuggled out of Bangladesh during this period.

Tax Intelligence Unit officials told TBS that their main goal is to identify individuals and organisations involved in tax evasion or accumulating illicit wealth during the Awami League era and that they have begun the process of collecting and verifying evidence.

Abdur Rakib, commissioner of the unit, told TBS, "Our aim is to expose financial irregularities and ensure accountability of individuals, including retired officials. Irregularities will not go unpunished, and the government is actively pursuing tax recovery.

"We want to send a clear message: if you engage in unlawful activities, you will face consequences."

The Central Intelligence Cell (CIC) remains the NBR's primary unit for detecting tax, VAT and customs evasion. In addition, the VAT Intelligence and Customs Intelligence and Investigation Directorate (CIID) are also operational.

The Tax Intelligence and Investigation Unit began working independently in recent months, operating from a separate office in Agargaon, Dhaka. Its officials are employing AI-based tools and gathering intelligence from various sectors to broaden the scope of their investigations.

While the CIC is handling inquiries into certain individuals and organisations, the Tax Intelligence Unit is conducting separate investigations into others.

Who is under Tax Intelligence Unit scanner?

An official revealed that over 50 administration cadre officials who allegedly worked at both field and central levels to secure election victories for the Awami League government in recent national elections are under investigation. The probe also includes more than 40 police officials and 50 journalists.

Others on the list include lawyers, judges and current or former officials from key agencies such as the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Roads and Highways, Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), Bangladesh Power Development Board, Dhaka Power Distribution Company, Public Works Department and Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).

Additionally, former upazila chairmen, bankers, former vice-chancellors of public and private universities and politicians, including leaders of the Awami League's affiliated organisations, are being investigated by the unit.

The investigation also extends to at least 10 army officers and several officials from the Customs and Income Tax departments of the NBR.

High-profile individuals such as actresses Shomi Kaiser and Nipun Akhter, cricketer Shakib Al Hasan and his family members are also being investigated. Questions have been raised about the unexplained sources of Shakib's mother's significant income.
Tax Intelligence Unit officials said that the scope of the investigation might expand to include many more individuals and institutions, as transactions linked to the current cases could implicate others.

What is the investigation process?

Officials explained that the primary source of investigation is bank transaction data. In addition, the investigation relies on information gathered from various authorities, including the Sub Registry Office, Utility Connection Agencies (gas, electricity), Bangladesh Road Transport Authority and City Corporations. 

Efforts are also being made to gather details on embezzlement through import-export activities or foreign transactions. Furthermore, information is being collected about individuals making anonymous investments in various businesses. 

TIIU officials are personally visiting different areas to collect additional information from multiple sources.

The investigation also includes tracking the buying and selling activities of land developers across the country.

"Information provided by land developers helped us a lot. While some organisations tried to conceal information initially, they are now being forced to cooperate," said one TIIU official.

He added, "We expect noticeable progress in the next two months, including the discovery of solid evidence against some tax evaders and individuals with illicit assets."

"Many clever individuals avoid conducting bank transactions in their own names or those of close family members. Instead, they transfer property ownership to distant relatives or third parties to conceal their assets," the official added.

Challenges in tracing illicit assets

Syed Md Aminul Karim, a former NBR member for income tax policy, explained that while illegal assets can be hidden for a short period (one to two years), it becomes difficult to do so over the long term. "Clues are always left behind, and with a thorough investigation, it is possible to uncover these assets in most cases," he stated.

A former director general of the Central Intelligence Cell at NBR, on condition of anonymity, told TBS, "There is always a footprint in illegal transactions. If investigations are conducted effectively, fraud and illicit income from individuals and organisations can be uncovered."

However, he acknowledged that due to the informal nature of a significant portion of Bangladesh's economy, some irregularities may remain undetected despite thorough efforts toward unearthing them.