Bangladesh Bank has issued a stern public warning advising individuals and business entities to refrain from conducting financial transactions through 22 unlicenced online payment aggregator platforms currently operating across the country.

According to an official notification released on Sunday (27 September) by the Payment Systems Supervision Department of the central bank, these unauthorised platforms have been actively facilitating digital payment aggregation services without obtaining the required regulatory clearance. Financial authorities highlighted that operating or participating in such unlicensed payment operations constitutes a explicit violation of national banking statutes.

Under Section 4(2) of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2024, no individual, enterprise, or company is permitted to operate a payment system or provide payment services within Bangladesh without securing a formal licence from the central bank. Furthermore, Section 37(1) of the same legislation explicitly classifies any breach of these provisions as a punishable criminal offence.

The proliferation of unauthorised fintech platforms has increasingly drawn scrutiny from regulatory authorities seeking to safeguard consumer capital and preserve systemic stability within the rapidly expanding digital economy. Central banks globally, including Bangladesh Bank, enforce strict oversight over payment aggregators to ensure data privacy, prevent money laundering, and protect merchants and consumers from financial default or fraud. Transactions processed through unlicenced intermediaries expose users to significant operational risks, including potential loss of funds without legal recourse.

To prevent financial loss and maintain public confidence in digital transactions, Bangladesh Bank strongly urged merchants, e-commerce platforms, and consumers to immediately cease engaging with these unauthorised entities. The central bank confirmed that investigations into illegal fintech operations remain ongoing.

The 22 identified unlicenced payment aggregator platforms cited by the central bank include BohudurPay, ZiniPay, PayTiller, BengaliPay, Payora BD, SohojPay BD, EasyPayWay, AK Pay, BD PAY, ShajgarPay, AsthaPay / CPay, UddoktaPay, Walletmix, BttPay, Easy Pay Automation, UniquePay BD, BD AUTO PAY, RH Pay BD, EzePay, AutoPay Ltd, Biswasto, and PipraPay.