Photo : Messenger
A case of significant financial malfeasance has unfolded at Midland Bank, involving the embezzlement of Tk 3 crore.
The illicit activities include forging customer signatures, creating 19 SOD loan accounts, unauthorised account openings, theft of cheque pages, and the forgery of signatures for RTGS, BEFTN, BASTCS, and cash withdrawals.
This egregious incident came to light during investigations conducted by both the Bank's internal investigation and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). Shockingly, seven bank officers, including a branch manager, have been implicated in these illicit activities.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, it is disconcerting to note that the accused officers are still actively employed at Midland Bank.
On December 21, a legal proceeding was initiated against the seven officers of Midland Bank, charging them with embezzlement of funds from 46 customers through fraudulent and deceptive means. The case was formally filed by Md. Saiduzzaman, Assistant Director of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Gazipur District Office.
The accused individuals, identified as the manager and AVP of the Narsingdi branch of Midland Bank Limited Farooq Ur Rahman, Officer Md. Moksedul Hossain, Service Associate and CSO Shahrin Ahmed Urmi, Junior Officer Md. Hasanuzzaman, SE and CSM SM Lutful Kabir, EO & CSM Rajeev Ahmed, and Service Associate Sonnet Kumar Das.
According to the statement, these individuals are alleged to have systematically embezzled funds over the period spanning from 2016 to 2021.
The complaint alleges that among the 46 account holders at the Narsingdi branch, the accused individuals engaged in a series of fraudulent activities. This included the creation of 19 SOD loan accounts through the forgery of signatures from 19 customers. Additionally, they opened new accounts by forging the signatures of the remaining account holders, stole cheque pages, and falsified signatures for RTGS, BEFTN, BASTCS, and cash withdrawals.
The accused are further charged with embezzling funds, totaling 3 crore 7 lakh 32 thousand 323 taka, from the 46 accounts. The embezzlement was carried out through deceptive practices, forgery, criminal breach of trust, and an abuse of power.
In response to inquiries, Rashedul Anwar, Senior Executive Vice President (Public Relations) of Midland Bank, informed The Daily Messenger that all seven accused officers are still employed by the bank. When questioned about the decision to retain them despite evidence of allegations in the bank's internal investigation, he stated, "All of them have been made OSD (On Special Duty)."
None of the accused officers will be released from their current status until the embezzled money is recovered. This decision is rooted in the bank's commitment to restoring the customers' funds. In response to inquiries about whether the accused officers are still receiving their salaries, Rashedul Anwar remarked, "HR knows that.”
Messenger/Disha
