CID Seizes Tk 33 Crore Assets of BSB
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) filed a money laundering case against the owner of BSB Global Network and chairman of Cambrian School and College Khairul Bashar Bahar on charges of embezzling money from students by promising to send them abroad for higher education.
Recently, under court orders related to that case, the CID seized immovable assets belonging to Bashar worth around Tk 33 crore.
CID Special Superintendent of Police (Media) Jasim Uddin Khan confirmed the matter. He told Agamir Somoy, “The accused person used the money earned through fraud to purchase a flat in Vatara, Dhaka in the name of his first wife, and another flat in the Sheltech Bithika project in the name of his second wife.”
He added that Bashar purchased two flats in the Rajabazar area and two buildings (7-story and 6-story) on Aziz Road in Dhaka, along with a total of 3,482.5 decimals of land in his name and the name of his institution.
Sources from the CID’s Financial Crime Unit said Bashar and his associates had formed an organized fraud ring. They attracted students with flashy advertisements promising opportunities for higher education in developed countries, including the US and Canada, at low costs and in a short amount of time.
Falling into the trap of these advertisements, many students paid large sums, which was then embezzled.
Fraud Behind the Guise of an Educator and Businessman
CID said Bashar became the owner of vast wealth by embezzling millions from students through the lure of overseas education. Consequently, on 4 June 2025, Financial Crime Unit filed a case against him at the Gulshan Police Station under the Money Laundering Prevention Act.
The accused in the case include Bashar, his wife Khandakar Selima Rowshon, his son Arsh Ibne Bashar, and four to five unidentified individuals.
On 14 July 2025, CID arrested him in Dhanmondi, Dhaka and presented him before the court. The investigation revealed that although Bashar identified himself as an educator and businessman, he was primarily running an organized fraud ring behind that facade.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are searching for more movable and immovable property in the accused’s name across various parts of the country.
Assets Worth Tk 600 Crore Outside Dhaka
While the deed value of the seized assets is shown to be around Tk 33 crore, the actual value could be several times higher. There is information regarding more assets outside Dhaka, which will also be seized after verification.
Available data indicated that information has been found regarding another 1,106 decimals of land in the names of individuals and institutions associated with BSB.
The deed value of these lands, located in two mouzas of Brahmanbaria, is more than Tk 102.61 crore, while the market value is expected to be at least Tk 600 crore. Information emerged regarding numerous flats, buildings, and lands in their names or anonymously in various areas, including Gulshan and Baridhara.
Lawsuits from Multiple Victims Beyond the CID Case
In addition to the CID case, victims have filed lawsuits at different times. Among them, Amir Hossain filed a case representing 15 victims over the embezzlement of Tk 1.8 crore.
Rita Akter filed a case on behalf of 35 people regarding the embezzlement of over Tk 3.95 crore.
Jannatul Ferdous Mukta filed a case for the embezzlement of Tk 16 lakh. Kaniz Fatema Runa, the mother of victim Tawsif Alam Araf, filed a case in the Human Trafficking Offense Tribunal.
CID added that investigations into these cases are ongoing and there are pending cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act and multiple warrants against them.
BSB began its operations in 2003 after obtaining permission to provide consultancy for students interested in higher education abroad. Since then, it has taken large sums of money by promising to send students to various countries, including Europe and Australia.
However, in many instances, the institution embezzled the money without fulfilling its promises. CID has received written complaints from more than 150 such victims, and it is alleged that over 500 more service-seekers have been defrauded.
