Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh Bank on Monday issued an urgent directive warning all non-bank financial institutions operating in the country about a rising trend of fraudsters impersonating officials of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to extort money.

The central bank's directive instructs non-bank financial institutions to immediately seek assistance from local administration and law enforcement agencies if anyone attempts to intimidate or solicit money by using the names of the ACC Chairman, Commissioners, or any other ACC official.

The central bank says these fraudulent activities have come to the government's attention.

This central bank circular follows two separate directives issued earlier by the Cabinet Division and the Ministry of Finance on the same matter.

The modus operandi of these fraudsters involves contacting individuals via phone or in person, claiming to be ACC personnel. 

They then attempt to extort money by threatening arrest, investigation, or filing cases. Many unsuspecting citizens often fall victim to these schemes.

Bangladesh Bank emphasized that financial institutions must remain vigilant to stop these deceptive rackets and take swift action against any such behavior 

Concerned parties note that impersonating ACC officials for fraudulent purposes is not a new phenomenon, but these incidents have seen a recent surge.

Bangladesh Bank's initiative is, therefore, considered timely, and the public is also urged to remain vigilant. Citizens who encounter such fraudulent attempts are advised to immediately report them to the police or relevant authorities.

It has been learned that recently, four individuals were arrested following allegations of "demanding bribes" against ACC officials made by National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah on Facebook. 

On June 30, the ACC confirmed the arrests, stating that the individuals were members of a fraud ring who had been impersonating ACC officials to extort money by promising to settle cases.