The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has filed cases against 13 recruiting agencies for allegedly embezzling around Tk 1,200 crore by overcharging workers sent to Malaysia.

While the government-mandated fee for sending a worker abroad is approximately Tk 78,990, the agencies reportedly charged between Tk 4.5 lakh and Tk 5 lakh per person.

According to the ACC, the agencies breached contracts and engaged in irregularities to collect nearly five times the official fee. Investigations show that from 2021 to 2024, the 13 agencies illicitly amassed around Tk 1,200 crore.

Confirming the matter on Sunday (14 September), ACC Director General Md Akhtar Hossain said, “The accused, while holding various positions in the Bureau, formed syndicates and violated registration conditions. Instead of the government-fixed Tk 78,990, they sent workers to Malaysia by collecting five times that amount. They unlawfully transferred, converted, and laundered the collected money.”

He said this has caused financial loss to workers and tarnished the government’s image. “The commission has approved cases against them under Sections 120(b), 161, 162, 163, 164, 165(a), 420 and 409 of the Penal Code, and Sections 4(2) and 4(3) of the Money Laundering Prevention Act, 2012.”

Investigations into Akash Bhraman Limited, a recruiting agency based in Fakirapool, Dhaka, revealed embezzlement exceeding Tk 135.55 crore from workers sent to Malaysia.

ACC has found evidence of similar fraud by multiple other agencies.

Previously, on 12 March, the ACC filed cases against 12 recruiting agencies, including the firms owned by former Finance Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal and his family, former MP Nizam Uddin Hazari, Lieutenant General (retd) Masud Uddin Chowdhury, and former MP Benazir Ahmed, over Tk 1,128.61 crore embezzlement in Malaysia-related human trafficking.

In those cases, 33 individuals, including chairmen, managing directors, and directors of overseas companies, were named.

Twelve separate cases involving Tk 1,128.615 crore are currently under investigation. With the latest filing, the total number of cases has reached 25, involving 64 accused and a combined embezzlement of Tk 2,288.435 crore.