Bangladesh Pursues $25 Billion Laundered by Elites

Following the collapse of the Awami League government in August 2024, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan Mansur is spearheading efforts to recover approximately $25 billion allegedly laundered abroad by political and business elites. Mansur, concerned about the potential erosion of these assets, has established 11 specialist teams to trace the wealth of 11 powerful families implicated in the scandal. He is focusing on the UK as a primary location for these assets, highlighting that many of these families have significant holdings in London. Mansur is currently in talks with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office to facilitate asset recovery. Notably, former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury is under scrutiny for owning over $500 million in real estate primarily in London and Dubai. The urgency of this mission is underscored by the risk of these funds disappearing if not addressed swiftly.