A storm of allegations has surfaced involving Mohammad Mahfuz Alam, the Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, centring on a controversial financial transaction of over BDT 6.5 crore (approximately AUD 1 million) allegedly received by his elder brother in Sydney, Australia.
The accusation was brought forward by social activist Boni Amin via a verified Facebook post on Monday (28 July) at around 7:00 PM, under the title “Transaction of BDT 6.5 Crore in Sydney”.
Allegations by Boni Amin:
| Claim | Details |
| Recipient of Funds | Mahfuz’s elder brother, Mahbub Alam Mahi, a student and part-time taxi driver residing in Sydney. |
| Source of Funds | Allegedly commissions from lobbying and file handling activities linked to Mahfuz’s official position. |
| Duration of Transfers | Funds have reportedly been transferred to Mahi’s account over the past 9 months. |
| Flagged Transaction | On 24 July, a transaction from the Middle East amounting to AUD 1 million was flagged by AUSTRAC (Australia’s financial intelligence agency) for “suspicious financial activity”. |
| Outcome | AUSTRAC allegedly froze Mahbub Alam Mahi’s bank account. |
Boni Amin stated:
“Once hailed as a heroic figure in the movement of the new generation, Mahfuz has now become a centre of controversy. Like the recently discussed cases involving Hatiya’s Hannan Masud and coordinator Riyad, his name now carries controversy too.”
He further compared the case to the infamous “Goat Scandal” of the previous political regime, claiming:
“This money is believed to be a commission-based share from a powerful business clique’s project in Bangladesh. It is under investigation, and details cannot be disclosed yet.”
Boni Amin’s Recommendations:
- A national audit and investigation into the financial dealings of all coordinators and their close relatives.
- Special attention to Hannan Masud (a noted figure in Hatiya) and even his in-laws’ family assets.
- A call to:
“Protect integrity and principled leadership. Uproot corruption from its root.”
Rebuttal from Mahbub Alam Mahi:
Mahbub Alam Mahi dismissed all accusations, calling them baseless and politically motivated. In his own verified Facebook post titled “Response to False Allegations”, he included screenshots of his bank account and stated:
“No Australian authority has frozen my account. My transactions are fully legal and compliant with Australian regulations.”
He has also indicated that he is considering taking legal action against the accuser.
Official Response:
As of now, no official statements have been released by the Bangladeshi government or law enforcement agencies. However, the matter has stirred significant debate and speculation across social media platforms.
Source: Social Media (Verified Facebook Posts)
