bKash asked to take steps against unruly agents

Bangladesh Bank has instructed bKash to take action against its agents who maintain multiple accounts with the mobile financial service provider in a breach of rules.

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, the anti-money laundering wing of the BB, wrote to bKash on Tuesday, saying more than 70 percent of its agents are operating a number of accounts.

The BB asked bKash to keep active only one account against each individual agent and closing the others within 10 working days.

bKash, a subsidiary of Brac Bank, has failed to take effective measures to prevent digital hundi despite repeated instructions from the central bank, according to the letter. It said the MFS provider has not complied with money laundering prevention rules.

The letter instructed bKash to explain within 10 working days why it has failed to follow the anti-money laundering and the central bank rules.

The MFS provider has been asked to submit its work plan within 30 working days outlining how it would stop suspicious transactions run by the agents. 

Shamsuddin Haider Dalim, head of corporate communications at bKash, confirmed to The Daily Star about the letter.

He said, “We are a compliant company and we will respond to the queries within the stipulated time."

Presently, bKash has about 1.75 lakh agent accounts and Tk 450 crore to Tk 500 crore moves through its network every day.