Wealth of Shamim, Family Members: BB asks banks to freeze accounts

Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has ordered all banks to freeze accounts of SM Golam Kibria Shamim, his wife and mother, and of now-expelled Jubo League leader Khaled Mahmud Bhuiyan.

Meanwhile, the Central Intelligence Cell of National Board of Revenue is all set to issue another order asking banks for information about their bank accounts.

Law enforcers arrested Shamim, popularly known as GK Shamim, at his Niketon office on Friday for his alleged involvement in criminal activities and tender manipulation.

According to an official at the central bank, a number of people submitted cheques from Shamim to different banks on Sunday and the banks sought directives from the BFIU on whether they should accept the cheques.

About “Tk 300 crore” is now in Shamim’s accounts with different banks, the official said.

Shamim, now on a 10-day remand, has three cases filed against him.

Rab arrested Shamim, 50, a top government-listed contractor and known to be a Jubo League leader, in connection with extortion and tender manipulation.

Rab during its raid at his home and office seized eight firearms, a huge amount of ammunition, Fixed Deposit Receipt (FDR) worth Tk 165 crore, around Tk 1.8 crore in cash, stash of US and Singaporean dollars, and some foreign liquor, officials said.  

Seven of his armed bodyguards were also arrested. 

Although there were many photos in social media in which Shamim is seen alongside senior Awami League leaders, ministers, and former and incumbent police and Rab officials, the Awami League and Jubo League leaders were quick to disown him after his arrest.

Shafaeth Hossain, marketing manager of Shamim’s firm GKB & Company (Pvt) Ltd, said they were handling 15 large construction projects of the government that involves around Tk 3,000 crore.  

The projects include construction of the Rab Headquarters in Ashkona, the Revenue Building in Agargaon, the Artha Building and two 25-storey buildings at the Secretariat, the National Institute of Traumatology Orthopedic and Rehabilitation, the Neuro Science Building, and the NGO Foundation in Agargaon, he added.    

In a separate order yesterday, the BFIU asked all banks to freeze accounts of Khaled who was arrested for running “casinos” at a football club in Fakirerpool.

Bangladesh Bank yesterday also asked banks to send by today detailed information of past and present bank accounts of nine other people.