Bangladeshi rich people are increasingly seeking citizenship in Caribbean island nations, purchasing passports from countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Trinidad, and Grenada. This trend includes former government officials, businesspeople, and influencers across various professions. However, top government officials are questioning why these individuals are now favoring Caribbean nations over traditional destinations like Europe, the U.S., or Australia.
There is growing debate over why individuals are choosing these countries, with several authorities investigating whether money laundering or criminal activity is involved in the acquisition of passports from lesser-known nations. Some officials suggest that many may have sought citizenship for personal luxury or to conceal illicit financial activities, pouring large sums of Taka into these passport programs.
Akhter Hossain, Director General (Prevention) of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), stated that the ACC is gathering information on money laundering through the 'Mutual Assistance' agreement with various countries. Several teams are investigating whether funds are being smuggled under the guise of foreign passports, including those from lesser-known island nations.
Investigations reveal that passports from certain Caribbean island nations offer visa-free travel to numerous countries, including those in Europe and the U.S. This has led many individuals to invest crores of Taka in acquiring these passports. Small island states such as Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Malta, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and Vanuatu offer citizenship through investment, typically requiring a one-time payment of between one and two million dollars.
Some countries even accept direct payments into their national development funds, while in certain housing projects, citizenship can be obtained within 3 to 5 months of investment. Social media, particularly Facebook, features numerous posts promoting Caribbean island passports through a page called 'Citizen Invest.' One post claims that a Caribbean passport grants visa-free travel to over 140 countries, with an investment of 200,000 US dollars required.
In addition, several travel agencies are running enticing advertisements on Facebook, promoting the sale of passports from various Caribbean island nations through anonymous pages. Many have also opened agent offices. However, agents in areas like Gulshan and Banani have declined to comment on these matters, with no one willing to reveal information about who is purchasing these passports.
An agent based in Banani, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the investment required for passport programs in countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and St. Kitts has increased. Previously set at 100,000 US dollars, the amount has now risen to 150,000 US dollars, with an additional service charge. For a family of four, the total cost of an Antigua and Barbuda passport is between 3 to 3.5 crores. The entire payment is deposited into the respective country’s bank, with the funds transferred through special channels.
When asked how many people have invested through him, the agent stated that client details are kept strictly confidential, in line with their business policy. He emphasized that even clients' mobile phone numbers are protected. In response to another question, he acknowledged that investments in Caribbean island citizenship schemes are currently under scrutiny. He also noted that the passport department does not grant "no visa" status to Caribbean passports. However, he confirmed that holders of these passports can travel visa-free to Europe and the U.S. with ease.
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)’s Additional Director General (Operations) Colonel Iftekhar Ahmed told Bangladesh Pratidin that this issue has not yet come to their attention but is nonetheless a matter of concern. He expressed confidence that the relevant authorities will investigate the matter, adding that RAB will also conduct a parallel inquiry.
According to the investigation, five years ago, the Special Branch (SB) of the police submitted a report raising concerns about the activities of the international armed group ISIS and money laundering in island nations. In response, the Ministry of Home Affairs convened a special meeting on December 8, 2019, which was attended by representatives from various intelligence agencies, the police, and the passport department.
During the meeting, a representative from the Directorate General of Defense Intelligence (DGFI) emphasized the need to investigate whether individuals who obtained citizenship from the Dominican Republic, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Kitts and Nevis have any ties to the armed group ISIS. It was also recommended that the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) be consulted before issuing a "No Visa" status to Caribbean passports, to verify any potential links to money laundering.
Subsequently, the meeting decided to compile a list of individuals who had obtained citizenship from the island states. However, for unexplained reasons, the process of preparing the list was not pursued further.
Multiple sources within the ACC have confirmed that several influential individuals in the country are using the banking channels of Caribbean islands to launder money. This group includes businessmen, politicians, and government officials. The financial systems in these island nations are not as robust as those in developed countries, providing an opportunity for laundering black money through bank accounts with relative ease. Recently, the ACC held meetings with delegations from various countries to combat money laundering and recover illicit funds. The delegations expressed willingness to cooperate with the Bangladesh Anti-Corruption Commission. However, the ACC has yet to sign a formal cooperation agreement with any representatives from the Caribbean islands, making it difficult to gather concrete information, the sources added.
Investigations reveal that Golam Hossain (passport number AB053356), a resident of the Kalabagan area in the capital, along with his family members, has acquired passports from Antigua and Barbuda. His son, Sabmir Sadat Hossain (passport number AB054946), Sadman Sadat Hossain (passport number AB053357), and his wife, Afroza Hossain, are also holders of these passports. Copies of their passports are now in possession of Bangladesh Pratidin.
When asked about this, Golam Hossain told Bangladesh Pratidin, "My family members live in America. My in-laws helped me obtain an Antigua and Barbuda passport. There's nothing wrong with that."
AKM Iftekhar Hossain, a resident of Gulshan, has also obtained a passport from Antigua and Barbuda (passport number AB068820). His family members include his wife, Syeda Asefa Afrin Ali (passport number AB068832), daughter Zaria Farhan Hossain, and son Zaian Wasif Hossain.
Abdul Fattah, a resident of Feni, has acquired citizenship from the lesser-known island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis. He recently applied for 'no visa' status using his passport (RE0105835) from that country. A copy of his application was subsequently forwarded to the National Security Intelligence (NSI) office to verify his citizenship.
According to the information on the passport, Abdul Fattah’s father is Maulbi Abdul Hadi, and his mother is Manjura Khanam Choudhurani. His family resides in Fulgazi, Feni, and Jagatpur, New Munsurhat. He received his St. Kitts passport on March 18, 2021, and his civil registration number in the country is C51265.
In addition to Abdul Fattah, Ziaur Rahman, a resident of Gulshan, has also obtained citizenship from St. Kitts and Nevis. He was issued the country’s passport (number RE0070190) on June 26, 2018. Recently, he applied for 'no visa' status in Dhaka, presenting himself as a dual citizen. His foreign passport lists his current address as House No. 4, Road No. 88, Gulshan. His father's name is Ahmadur Rahman, and his mother's name is Maryam Rahman. The family’s village address is Patharghata, 56 Bundle Road, Chattogram.
Mohammad Mostafa Haider and his wife, Fatema Salma Kamal, directors of TK Group, the largest industrial family in Chattogram, have obtained citizenship from Grenada. Both received their passports simultaneously, issued on May 4, 2023, from St. George’s, and valid until May 4, 2028. They submitted copies of their Grenadian passports—Mostafa Haider’s passport number is GA085091, and Fatema Salma Kamal’s is GA085090—along with their Bangladeshi passports and national identity cards as proof of dual citizenship in their 'no visa' application to the Passport Directorate.
Sources indicate that Major Sharif is closely connected to Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique, a former military advisor to fled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Although he currently resides in Malaysia with his family, Major Sharif has obtained Antigua and Barbuda passports for all his family members, at a cost of several million dollars.
Assistant Inspector General of Police Headquarters, Inamul Haque Sagar, informed Bangladesh Pratidin that the Police Headquarters and CID have initiated surveillance to investigate potential links to money laundering or terrorist activities. He emphasized that the matter is being treated with utmost seriousness.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
