Attempt to embezzle Tk 1.80 crores again through fake bills in Eastern Railway
M R Amin, Chattogram
An allegation has been found again in the Eastern Division of Bangladesh Railway regarding an attempt to embezzle one crore eighty lakh taka through the submission of fake bills.
However, the fraudulent activity was detected due to the diligence of the Divisional Accounts Officer of the Stores Department. The Accounts Department was able to thwart the fraud orchestrated by a group of scammers.
According to a reliable source, a large and organized fraud ring has developed within the Eastern Railway. Among the members of this group are some dishonest and greedy railway officials and employees, who illegally approve and issue such fake bills themselves.
This syndicate creates fake bills using the names of contracting firms without performing any actual work or providing any supplies. From the bill approval process to cheque issuance, every step of this fraudulent operation is secretly orchestrated by them. However, their latest attempt was unsuccessful.
Reliable sources have confirmed the incident. On June 2 (Monday), the Divisional Finance and Accounts Office (DFA/Stores) under the Chief Accounts and Finance Officer in CRB identified the fraudulent activity.
Chattogram Divisional Deputy Financial Advisor Saiful Islam confirmed the incident, stating that on arriving at the office on June 2, auditor Syeda Farzana Rahman Bably found a file on her desk containing two bills from an entity named "SSR Enterprise" — one for Tk 9.5 million and another for Tk 9 million.
Typically, bills arrive via peon, who signs the register upon delivery. As it was unclear who submitted SSR Enterprise’s bills and the signature of a CCS officer named Shariful Islam appeared suspicious, the bills were not processed. The matter was reported to higher authorities. An investigation is ongoing, and letters have been sent to the GM, RNB Chief, and CCS. Further legal action will be taken once their responses are received. For personal safety, a General Diary (GD) has also been filed at Kotwali Police Station.
Sources from Accounts Department reported that the forgery activity was detected when the two bills reached the Accounts Officer’s office through fake R-Notes supposedly from the office of the Chief Controller of Stores (CCS). Moreover, no actual contracting firm exists under the name "SSR Enterprise." When attempts were made to trace the bearer of the fake R-Notes, they could not be found. While the perpetrators remain unidentified, sources indicate that someone from the syndicate tried to bribe three officials of the accounts department. If they had succeeded, the main culprit might have been identified. Since the officials did not comply, the fraudsters went into hiding. However, phone numbers used and CCTV footage may help identify them.
Regarding the matter, District Controller of Stores (DCOS) Golam Morshed, who is responsible for inspections under the CCS office, stated that he is unaware of any enlisted contractor named "SSR Enterprise." He added that any R-Note sent from the CCS office is recorded in the register. Without examining the R-Notes in question, he cannot confirm whether they are genuine or fake.
Due to the Eid holidays, responsible officials at the CCS office could not be reached. However, a trusted source in the railway revealed that one does not need to go to the DFA office to collect money. After verifying the documents, cheques are issued in the name of the concerned firm from the Book & Budget section. Despite claims that the bills came from the CCS office, no contractor by the name "SSR Enterprise" is registered there.
When asked, Additional Financial Advisor and Chief Accounts Officer (East) Md. Saidur Rahman Sarkar stated that a contracting firm attempted to embezzle One crore eighty lakh taka by submitting forged documents. Efforts are ongoing to identify the ringleader using CCTV footage.
On December 28, 2023, between 10 AM and 4 PM, fake bills and vouchers were created using forged documents in an attempt to embezzle Tk 9.69 million from the railway. Token number 00153031 was presented. In that instance, the fraudsters not only forged government officials’ signatures but also created counterfeit seals to facilitate the fraud.
