BFIU seeks bank details of Daraz, PriyoShop, 21 other e-commerce firms

The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) of the central bank has sought bank account details of 23 e-commerce platforms, including Daraz and PriyoShop, along with over 30 officials related to these firms.

BFIU has already sent letters to all the scheduled banks operating in the country in this regard.

The respective e-firms are — Ams BD, Infinity Marketing Ltd, Annex Worldwide, Walmart, Bright Hash, Akasnil, Gadget Mart, BariDokan, Tiktiki, Shop up eLoan, Shadhin, Sreshtho.com, Alif World, Bangladesh Deal, Asthar Protik, e-Shop India, BD Like, Sun Tune, Cholontika, Supam Product, and New Navana.

The fresh move comes at a time when a number of e-commerce platforms are facing allegations of fraud over delivering products to customers on time or refund issues.

Meanwhile, several top officials of e-commerce outlets, including Evaly, have been sent to jail in cases filed over fraudulence.

Intelligence agencies have so far blacklisted and cracked down 49 e-commerce platforms that swindled customers out of thousands of crores of taka in the name of selling discounted products and offering online investments and e-loans.

Additionally, commerce ministry wrote to the Public Security Division asking it to direct the CID and other law enforcement agencies to defreeze the accounts of e-commerce companies and release Tk 214 crore stuck in payment gateways.

Also, Access to Information (a2i) of the Prime Minister’s Office has prepared the unique business identification (UBID) number form for e-commerce companies, and the high-powered e-commerce committee finalised it on November 1.

Ministry officials said all existing and upcoming e-commerce companies would have to register with the digital commerce cell apart from obtaining the UBID.

The Central Complaints Management System under the Directorate of National Consumers Right Protection will use artificial intelligence to monitor irregularities and forgery of e-commerce platforms.