A group allegedly opened bank accounts in the names of beggars and destitute people of a shelter project in Kurigram and carried out transactions worth Tk1.13 crore, leaving the account holders facing fraud cases they knew nothing about.
The accounts were opened at the Ghoshpara branch of Pubali Bank, but several victims said they had never visited the bank or even knew where the branch was located.
Bank records reviewed by TIMES show that transactions worth Tk90.24 lakh had taken place through the account of Noborin Begum, a resident of Dharla Ashrayan Project, until 31 August this year. Most of the transactions were online transfers between different accounts.
The victims alleged that around one and a half years ago, a group of young men visited the Dharla shelter project in Kurigram Sadar, promising widow allowances, old-age allowances and government housing. They collected photocopies of national identity cards, fingerprints and photographs from residents but never returned.
The victims said they came to know about the alleged fraud only after police visited their homes in July over cases filed against them.
Noborin Begum, an elderly widow of Panchgachi Union, said she has no land or assets and survives by begging. She currently lives in the shelter project in a house allocated to someone else.
“I gave my NID and photograph after they promised allowances and livestock support. I know nothing about the bank account or the money,” she said.
Another resident, Ahina Bibi, said Tk23 lakh was withdrawn through a bank account opened in her name. She said two young men had collected her NID and photograph, claiming they would arrange government benefits.
“I never went to Pubali Bank. I do not know how the transactions happened or who did them,” she said.
Earlier, her husband Ansar Ali, also a resident of the shelter project, spent a week in jail last year after being accused of Tk2.50 lakh fraud in Rajbari. Following media reports, Pubali Bank paid back the money and the case was resolved.
Now another account has allegedly been opened in the name of Ansar’s wife Farida Begum.
“Who knows when another case will come against us? My husband already went to jail. We want freedom from these troubles,” she said.
Shafali Begum, who works as a domestic helper, said around Tk75,000 was also transacted through an account opened in her name.
“I earn by working in people’s homes. I went to the bank, but nobody listened to us. Someone even told me that since the amount was small, I should pay something to settle it,” she alleged.
Locals claimed that around 150 families live in the shelter project and many may have fallen victim to similar account fraud. They demanded an investigation to identify and punish those involved.
Lawyer Faruk Hossain Setu of Kurigram District Judge Court said such fraudulent accounts could be used for activities including hundi, gambling, drug trading and smuggling.
“Those involved can be brought under punishment under various sections of the law. The victims deserve justice and the actual offenders must be punished,” he said.
Pubali Bank Kurigram branch manager AHM Alamgir Kabir declined to make an official comment, saying two cases had been filed in court and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was investigating the matter.
