Kamrul Ahsan, the controversial co-chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM), often referred to as the “King’s Party”, stands accused of defrauding 1,500 families of crores of taka under the guise of overseas employment.
Ahsan allegedly promised work visas for Turkey, Russia, and Hungary through his company, Versatilo, but failed to send a single worker abroad. Consequently, these families have been left destitute, while the five recruitment agents he utilized face intense pressure and threats from the victims.
Investigations by TIMES of Bangladesh have uncovered records for 1,555 individuals who underwent medical screenings through Versatilo. These records include passport numbers, medical centre details, and completion dates.
It is further alleged that Ahsan embezzled approximately Tk1.5 crore by overcharging for these medical evaluations alone.
Ahsan rose to prominence overnight prior to the 2024 parliamentary elections, reportedly leveraging ties with Awami League leaders and intelligence agencies.
Since the fall of the Awami League government, he has resided primarily abroad.
While he occasionally contacts victims via telephone, he has made no effort to refund their money.
Several agents, fearing they will never recover their funds, have remained anonymous for now but are reportedly preparing to file formal legal charges.
Beyond human trafficking allegations, Ahsan faces accusations of fraud involving his venture “Kamrul Agro” and is currently named in an extortion case.
When reached for comment, Ahsan denied all claims, stating, “The allegations against me are not true.”
Recruitment fraud allegations
An agent who fell victim to the scheme, speaking on the condition of anonymity, provided documentation alleging that Kamrul Ahsan and his company, Versatilo, collected over Tk5 crore under the pretext of sending workers to Turkey, Russia, and Hungary.
According to the agent, payments were made in several instalments following a formal written agreement, for which Ahsan issued official receipts.
To further the deception, Saifur Rahman, CEO of Versatilo HR Solution Skills and Outsourcing, reportedly sent a letter to agents on February 29, 2024, claiming that all travel documentation was ready. The letter, obtained by Times, states: “The employment contracts for the attached list of candidates have been accepted. A decision has been taken to process their visa applications. You are requested to submit Tk 30,000 per candidate by February 4, 2024, to facilitate processing.”
One agency owner, identified as Malik, explained the dire consequences of the scam. “Three other agents and I paid the visa fees for candidates who had already cleared their medical exams. Yet, to date, not a single person has been sent abroad,” Malik said. “Since the fall of the Awami League, Kamrul has remained overseas. As the local agent, I am the one facing the victims’ wrath. I am forced to sell my personal assets to repay people, while Kamrul lives freely abroad.”
Another agent based in the Al-Razi Complex in Bijoynagar seeking anonymity reported a loss of over Tk 1.5 crore through the Versatilo Group. “He is outside the country and often refuses to answer his phone,” the agent stated. “We are speaking on condition of anonymity in hopes of a refund, but since he is not paying, we are now preparing to take formal legal action.”
Medical check-up fraud allegations
Investigations have revealed that the “Versatilo” group allegedly used mandatory medical check-ups as a secondary tool for fraud. After collecting initial fees from five recruitment agents, 1,555 aspiring migrant workers were ordered to undergo medical examinations. While such check-ups typically cost between Tk 1,000 and Tk 1,500, victims were allegedly forced to pay Tk 10,000 each at specific designated centres.
Times of Bangladesh has obtained evidence suggesting that approximately Tk 1.5 crore was embezzled through this markup. Workers were reportedly mandated to use specific facilities, including Star Medical (Paltan), Idan Medical (Hatkhola Road), Standard Medical (Bhatara), and Bashundhara Medical (Shantinagar).
One victim, Hossain Khan (Passport No. 07439192), told Times: “When our overseas deployment was delayed, we contacted Star Medical Center. They informed us they were simply providing services under a direct contract with the Versatilo Group.”
Asadur Rahman, a front desk officer at Star Medical Center in Purana Paltan, confirmed the partnership but distanced the clinic from the scam. “Our contract was with Versatilo. Why they charged so much or why the workers were never sent abroad is not our concern. Only the Versatilo authorities can answer for the failed deployments,” he stated.
In the wake of the scandal, most of Versatilo’s staff have resigned. Aminul Haque, former secretary to Chairman Kamrul Ahsan, confirmed he left the company in August 2024. Haque noted that while Ahsan was actively pursuing recruitment projects for Russia and other countries, tensions were high before his departure, with multiple agents already demanding refunds.
He added that many former employees are now embroiled in their own financial disputes with Ahsan.
Allegations of investment fraud and share scams
Beyond recruitment scams, Kamrul Ahsan is also accused of defrauding investors through his venture, Kamrul Agro.
Noor Ahmed Khokon, CEO of Spectrum International School in Shantinagar, shared his experience with Times, stating that he first met Ahsan in 2009.
“Once a relationship of trust was established, Ahsan offered to sell shares of ‘Kamrul Agro’ to us,” Khokon explained. “In 2010, myself and several partners, including school director Tanvir Faisal, formed an entity called ‘Vivid’ to facilitate the purchase. Collectively, eight to ten of us invested approximately Tk 1.5 crore.”
According to Khokon, the deal never materialised. “He began making excuses and refused to transfer the company as per our contract. By 2011, we realised we had been defrauded.” Following nearly two years of disputes, Ahsan reportedly issued a check for Tk 50 lakh, but the investors were only able to encash Tk 5 lakh. “Despite holding an AB Bank check issued by Ahsan, we never received the remaining balance. When we pressed for the money, we were met with threats. I simply want justice,” Khokon added.
Entrepreneur Tanvir Faisal, another victim of the same scheme, spoke emotionally about the ordeal. “I spent years of my life in despair because of Dr Kamrul Ahsan’s fraud. My dream of becoming an entrepreneur turned into a nightmare,” Faisal told Times.
He further alleged that Ahsan used political intimidation to silence them. “Whenever we demanded our money back, Ahsan would show us photographs of himself with powerful Awami League ministers and threaten our lives.”
Extortion charges and criminal allegations
Investigations have revealed that Dr Kamrul Ahsan is currently facing an extortion case at the Cantonment Police Station in the capital. The case, filed on February 26, 2025, by plaintiff Md Jahangir Alam, names Ahsan as the 13th accused. Furthermore, the filing identifies him as a key accomplice of the former autocratic regime.
Exploiting political and social ties
Evidence suggests that Ahsan systematically used his connections with high-ranking officials to facilitate his fraudulent activities. Victims have provided video footage showing Ahsan with Imran Ahmed, the former Awami League Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat, the controversial former chairman of Padma Bank. Additionally, Ahsan frequently claimed a close personal friendship with cricketer Shakib Al Hasan, using photographs with the sports icon to build a false sense of credibility and influence.
Shifting allegiances and public exposure
According to the victims, several media reports emerged late last year detailing Ahsan’s attempts to “change his colours”, essentially trying to embed himself within the current interim government to maintain his influence. However, his history of alleged fraud began to receive widespread public attention only after an overseas-based journalist exposed his activities on social media.
The rise of the BNM and internal conflict
Leading up to the controversial 2024 general elections, Kamrul Ahsan joined the Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM), widely labelled as a “King’s Party.” Allegedly backed by influential Awami League leaders and high-ranking administration officials, Ahsan reportedly spearheaded efforts to recruit BNP leaders into the election process.
Shah Md Abu Zafar, the former chairman of the BNM, confirmed Ahsan’s dominant role. “Dr Kamrul Ahsan is the party’s co-chairman, and the BNM remains under his control. Before the last election, he was the primary decision-maker. I am no longer associated with the party,” Zafar stated.
However, the party’s founders offer a different perspective. Barrister M Sarwar Hossain, one of the BNM’s initiators, claimed the party was hijacked. “Major (Retd) Md Hanif and I founded this organisation with good intentions,” Hossain said. “But before the 2024 election, Kamrul Ahsan and his associates, aided by the government and an intelligence agency, took over the party. Kamrul is a fraudster, and I am aware of the criminal cases against him.”
What Kamrul says
When contacted by Times, Kamrul Ahsan initially requested that all allegations be submitted to him in writing. Upon receiving them, he dismissed the claims, stating, “These allegations are completely fabricated and false. I will provide a detailed written response with supporting evidence within the coming week.”
Despite these denials, victims allege that Ahsan is currently attempting to secure his future by seeking protection under the BNP. Reports suggest he has been contacting associates to spread rumours that he will soon be appointed to a BNP committee, an apparent attempt to distance himself from his past ties to the fallen Awami League regime.
