How criminals ‘rent’ bank accounts for illegal transaction

In the documents submitted to a bank, Bappy Hossain (26) mentioned that he's a labourer. But an anomaly came up after analysing his national identity (NID) details.

It was found that he has around 45 accounts with different financial institutions, most under agent banking.

Similarly, Md Raju (31) mentioned that he's a private-service holder, and his NID details showed a similar scene: around 40 accounts.

Like these two, at least seven other people were found to have around 227 accounts with different banks in total. And they listed their professions as egg seller, van driver or domestic help.

The question is, why do these seemingly normal people have so many accounts?

In an investigation, police's detective branch (DB) found that organised transnational criminals take these accounts on "rent" for illegal transactions to dodge law enforcers' eyes.

For each transaction, the criminals pay Tk 1,000 to 1,500, and Tk 4,000 to 5,000 for opening an account.

Khalilur Rahman, assistant commissioner (Gulshan division) of DB, said some of the accounts have even made transactions worth Tk 30 lakh.

Investigating sources said a Bangladeshi, identified as Biplob Lashkar, is maintaining all the transaction details.

Investigation also found that his present address is at Dhaka's Mohammadpur. But after visiting the address, this correspondent did not find anyone living there.

Sources said Biplob has been involved in fraudulent activities for a long time.

At one point, he joined criminal gangs run by a group of Nigerians, who would embezzle money from people by deceiving them. The gang members would become friends with unknown people on social media. Later, they would say that they are sending a costly gift as a token of friendship.

Finally, a local syndicate member identifying themself as a customs official would call the target, saying that a gift came from abroad but a customs charge is needed to release the item. Then they would provide a "rented" bank account number.

Detectives came to know all this, after a victim filed a complaint with Paltan Police Station last week. The victim had paid around Tk 55,000 as custom charge and then realised he was duped.

AC Khalilur said drives are underway to find Biplob and those who are renting out the accounts.

Biplop is accused in over a dozen cases. He has been arrested several times, but manages to get out on bail, the official said.

Like Biplob, one Harun-or-Rashid also maintains such accounts for the syndicate.

Contacted, officials working at Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit said there is no written rule or circular stipulating how many accounts an individual can open.

However, if any criminal offence or suspicious transaction is noticed, the bank can inform law enforcers, they said.

Mashiur Rahman, deputy commissioner (Gulshan division) of DB, said a section of Nigerians joined hands with some Bangladeshis to form criminal groups. The gangs mostly use people from low-income groups to open bank accounts in their names and use those for criminal activities.

"We are holding meetings with bank authorities to inform them about these frauds and taking steps in this regard," he told The Daily Star yesterday.