Evaly owes Tk 311cr to over 2 lakh customers
Evaly has nearly Tk 311 crore liabilities to more than two lakh customers, according to the submission of the beleaguered e-commerce platform to the commerce ministry yesterday.
The sum is 45 per cent higher than the Bangladesh Bank found in a probe earlier.
The digital commerce firm also said its 207,741 customers were yet to get delivery of the products.
The disclosure by the company came a week after it said, in another submission to the ministry, that its liabilities to customers and merchants stood at a combined Tk 543 crore as of the middle of July.
Of the amount, Evaly estimated its intangible asset to be worth Tk 438 crore, including a brand value of Tk 422 crore — a claim that raised questions as it carried out the valuation on its own.
Evaly shared its liabilities to customers in line with a commerce ministry directive that asked the firm to explain the whereabouts of around Tk 338 crore it owed to customers and merchants.
Meanwhile, the platform is facing scrutiny by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) whether it is involved in any money laundering activities.
The Unit is the government's central agency responsible for analysing suspicious transaction reports, transactions, and information related to money laundering and financing of terrorism.
On August 25, the BFIU asked banks to submit the account details of Evaly and its Chairman Shamima Nasrin and Managing Director Mohammad Rassel within five working days.
In August last year, the agency froze the bank accounts of Nasirn and Rassel.
Rassel could not be reached for comments.
Evaly said it carried out delivery activities from its warehouse through third parties or parcel delivery companies, which accounted for 12-15 per cent of the total shipment.
"Sellers or suppliers deliver the rest of the products, and they are dependent on parcel delivery companies as well," it said, adding that the deliveries were shown in its system after the companies submitted the reports.
"It is assumed that the delivery is done unless a customer contacts with Evaly within the stipulated time."
The e-commerce company said it had carried out 70 lakh orders since its inception two and a half years ago.
It acknowledged that some customers did not receive the products and it was "undesirable".
The firm said it would be able to deliver the items against all orders within six months if a congenial business environment prevailed and adequate time was given.
The e-commerce company will submit its liabilities to merchants and a time-bound plan to clear the dues by September 2.
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