Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) on Wednesday said works are underway to assess the amount of money laundered abroad or swindled by some corrupt businessmen and influential people in the country.
"Audit works will begin to determine the money swindled by the corrupt people . . . (but) it can be assumed that the amount could be over $100 billion," the CAO said in a statement.
It said initiatives were taken by now to bring reforms in the banks and financial institutions involved in such corruption and money laundering while the interim government now reconstituted the governing boards of the Islami Bank, Social Islami Bank, National Bank, United Commercial Bank, Global Islami Bank and Union Bank.
"Reforms in other banks and financial institutions will start as well. The actual information of the money laundered will be collected through new managements and audit works will begin to determine the money swindled by the corrupt people," it added.
It also said the new management of the banks started works to seize the local swindlers' assets and bring the laundered money back home with support from Bangladesh Bank's Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), police's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
"The authorities concerned have already sought cooperation from foreign organizations in returning the laundered money to the country," the statement noted.
BBN/SSR/AD