Published: 11:58 PM, 10 August 2026
42 loan defaulters face money-laundering probe over Tk 2bn debts
Bangladesh Bank has launched investigations into alleged money laundering by 42 companies that have defaulted on bank loans worth more than Tk 2 billion each. It has also instructed banks to sign agreements with eight international firms selected by the central bank to recover the allegedly laundered funds.
At a meeting on Sunday, Governor Mostaqur Rahman told 38 banks to engage the firms, which will work to have the funds frozen in the countries where they are believed to be held and bring them back to Bangladesh.
Central bank spokesman and Executive Director Arief Hossain Khan said the agreements would be signed after necessary preparations.
"Forty-two companies will be investigated. Each has defaulted on more than Tk 2 billion, and there are allegations of money laundering against them," he said, reports bdnews24.com.
The eight firms are Grant Thornton, RI Consortium, Baker McKenzie and PwC, BCG and HHR, EY and Dentons, Rahman Ravelli and Interpath, DLA Piper and Kroll, and Animus Associates.
They will receive commissions only after recovering the funds. Banks will be barred from making any other financial transactions with them.
Bankers said the bank with the largest exposure in a case will act as lead bank and coordinate legal action and the recovery effort on behalf of others.
