$300 Million Money Laundering Probe (2024-2025)

Key Facts

• The Anti‑Corruption Commission (Bangladesh) (ACC) has formally initiated an inquiry into allegations that Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy laundered about US $300 million to the United States (and/or possibly UK) via illicit channels.


• According to ACC sources, the funds are alleged to have been transferred to New York and London.


• The probe is tied to separate allegations of large‐scale corruption and embezzlement through priority development projects during the tenure of Hasina’s government (including claims of mis-appropriation of Taka 80,000 crore across nine projects) — the laundering probe appears to be one arm of a broader investigation.


• The ACC decision to probe was taken around December 2024.

What is alleged / Methodology

• The core allegation: that large sums (≈ US $300 million) of Bangladesh’s money were moved abroad (to US/UK) by the accused individuals, under circumstances suggesting abuse of power, irregularities in government contracts or allocations, and then laundering of those funds via foreign jurisdictions.


• The investigation is not yet publicly detailing exact mechanisms of how the funds were laundered (which banks, shell companies, jurisdictions). The ACC sources indicate the money was “to the US” and "to New York and London" but full disclosures are pending.


• The probe is linked to another complaint/claim regarding illicit gains via nine development projects (Tk 80,000 crore) which may have generated the funds for laundering.

Status of Investigation

• The ACC has “started” the probe; at the time of latest reports the investigation is in early stages (collection of documents, tracing funds) rather than completed or resulting in charges.


• As of the latest, there is no public record (in the sources I found) of court filings, indictments, or convictions specifically tied to the $300 m‐laundering allegation.


• Because of the high‐profile nature (a former prime minister, a prominent family), the case is drawing strong public and media attention.


• The timing: December 2024 + ongoing into 2025