DHAKA — Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has intensified its crackdown on offshore wealth, launching a sweeping investigation into Bangladeshi nationals who own luxury properties in Dubai — triggering what officials describe as the largest overseas asset probe in the country’s history.
The 459-Property Revelation
According to a US-based non-profit Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADC) report that sparked the probe, 459 Bangladeshis owned a total of 972 residential properties in Dubai at a cost of $315 million. The investigation revealed 64 assets in elite Dubai Marina and 19 in Palm Jumeirah, including at least 100 villas and five buildings.
The High Court on 15 January ordered four agencies — the ACC, Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), CID and National Board of Revenue (NBR) — to investigate, leading the ACC to form a four-member probe committee comprising a director and three deputy directors acting on the High Court order.
Golden Visa Trail: 70 High-Profile Names
In a second phase, the ACC identified 70 individuals suspected of laundering money from Bangladesh to acquire substantial assets in Dubai under its Golden Visa programme. The agency requested tax records, e-TINs and income tax returns from the NBR, alleging funds were laundered through Swiss banks and other foreign institutions.
The list includes former ministers, business tycoons and politically exposed persons — with properties allegedly purchased using funds laundered through Swiss banks.
2026 Crackdown: Tk 2,271 Crore Frozen
The probe has accelerated since the fall of the Awami League government in 2024. In January 2026 alone, the ACC seized and froze assets worth more than Taka 2,216 crore at home and abroad following court orders.
The monthly report confirmed 59 properties in the United Arab Emirates were frozen, alongside 47 commercial spaces in Malaysia, 117 properties in Cambodia, 23 in Thailand, 44 apartments in the United States and 33 apartments in Singapore.
The ACC filed 76 FIRs against 467 individuals and submitted 36 charge sheets in the same month.
Why Dubai?
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has called on host countries like UK, USA, Canada, Dubai and Singapore to proactively identify and freeze illegal assets owned by Bangladeshi nationals. Investigators say Dubai’s Golden Visa, property market and banking secrecy made it a haven for laundered money.
The ACC says efforts to identify, attach and preserve illegally acquired assets are ongoing.
Sources: The Business Standard, ACC monthly report Feb 2026.