In the obscure border town of Teknaf, where headlines rarely penetrate, a clandestine world has emerged, interweaving the realms of mobile banking, Rohingyas, and a burgeoning drug trade. Initially perceived as a local success story, the narrative surrounding a prominent mobile banking agent, Shafi Alam, has taken a dark turn, exposing an intricate network of Rohingyas controlling mobile banking operations.
The focal point of this investigation is Shafi Alam, a prominent mobile banking agent in Mochnipara, Hnila Union, Teknaf. Despite being lauded for his impressive transaction volume and wielding influence in the region, Shafi’s true identity has come to light – he is not a Bangladeshi citizen but a Rohingya displaced from Myanmar. Fleeing his homeland, Shafi sought refuge in Teknaf with his family. The question that looms large is how a displaced Rohingya managed to secure a registered SIM for mobile banking, a process seemingly restricted to citizens.
A deeper probe reveals an alarming connection between the unusually high financial transactions in mobile banking and local drug dealers operating in Teknaf’s border area. A pervasive mobile banking network, predominantly controlled by Rohingyas, has emerged as a conduit for laundering illegal drug money. The infiltration of the drug trade into the mobile banking system has set off alarms, compelling authorities to scrutinize the sources of these suspicious transactions.
As layers of deception unfold, it becomes evident that local residents of Teknaf, including Mufiz Alam, are willingly registering mobile banking agents or SIM cards in their names, subsequently transferring them to Rohingyas in exchange for money. Shafi Alam’s use of Mufiz Alam’s agent number, registered under ‘Mufiz Crockeries,’ exposes a covert partnership between Rohingyas and locals in manipulating the mobile banking system.
The investigation extends to another mobile banking agent, Chenu Ara, who, despite presenting herself as a legitimate agent, is alleged to be a key player in drug trafficking and linked to terrorist activities within the Rohingya camp. The registration of Chenu’s Agent Banking mobile number to Cox’s Bazar Sadar raises questions about the origin of the SIM and the extent of its misuse.
Connecting the dots, the investigation reveals that Abdul Hashem, another Rohingya born in Myanmar, plays a pivotal role in orchestrating mobile banking operations. Despite being a registered resident of a Rohingya camp, Hashem freely travels between Bangladesh and Myanmar, smuggling drugs into the country. The drug money is then funneled through agents like Shafi Alam and Chenu Ara.
Shafi Alam’s case is not an isolated incident; at least seven Rohingyas, including Ubaidul, Quader, Shaker, Ziabul, Saimun, Ayub, and Arman Shafi, control mobile banking agents in Teknaf. These Rohingyas have managed to register hundreds of mobile SIMs in the names of unsuspecting local residents, exposing vulnerabilities within the mobile banking system.
Law enforcement and the Narcotics Control Department acknowledge the surge in mobile banking transactions in Teknaf, signaling a shift from traditional methods like hundi to mobile banking for drug money transactions. Authorities are now under pressure to enhance regulatory measures and identify the sources of these suspicious transactions. The Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) has pledged to investigate the matter thoroughly.
The nexus between mobile banking, Rohingyas, and the drug trade in Teknaf paints a grim picture of vulnerabilities within the financial system. As authorities grapple with the challenges posed by this intricate web of deceit, the need for stricter regulations, improved oversight, and collaboration between law enforcement agencies becomes paramount. The revelation of such illicit activities in a seemingly quiet border town underscores the importance of proactive measures to curb the exploitation of mobile banking for illegal purposes. The investigative report sheds light on a complex interplay of forces that demand urgent attention and a comprehensive response from regulatory bodies. Addressing this issue is not only crucial for Teknaf’s stability but also for safeguarding the integrity of the broader financial system.
