Thursday, 9th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 9th April 2026, 11:13 AM
The submission of the investigation report in the long-running case concerning the theft of a substantial sum from Bangladesh’s foreign exchange reserves has once again been postponed, prolonging a scandal that has already stretched across nearly a decade.
On Thursday (9 April 2026), the date fixed for the submission of the report, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police failed to present its findings before the court. Following this, the investigating authority sought additional time, which was granted by Dhaka’s Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Joshita Islam. The court has now set 18 May 2026 as the new deadline for submission.
The repeated deferments have intensified public concern regarding the pace and effectiveness of the investigation into one of the most high-profile financial cybercrimes in the country’s history. Observers note that the continued delays have raised broader questions about institutional capacity, accountability, and the robustness of Bangladesh’s financial cybersecurity framework.
The incident dates back to 5 February 2016, when a coordinated cyber heist targeted the account of Bangladesh Bank held with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Using fraudulent instructions transmitted through the SWIFT international payment messaging system, the perpetrators attempted to siphon off large sums of money.
In total, approximately 81 million US dollars were successfully transferred in multiple tranches to various accounts in the Philippines. The scale and sophistication of the operation triggered international attention, exposing vulnerabilities in global financial messaging systems and drawing scrutiny towards Bangladesh’s own security protocols.
Following the incident, a case was formally lodged on 15 March 2016 at Motijheel Police Station by Jubayer Bin Huda, then Deputy Director of Bangladesh Bank’s Accounts and Budgeting Department. The complaint was filed against unidentified individuals under provisions of the Money Laundering Prevention Act and relevant sections of information and communication technology laws.
The responsibility for investigating the case was subsequently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). However, despite the passage of nearly ten years, the agency has yet to submit its final report to the court. Multiple extensions have been granted over time, reflecting persistent delays in concluding the investigation.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 5 February 2016 | Cyber theft of approximately USD 81 million from Bangladesh Bank’s reserves |
| 15 March 2016 | Case filed at Motijheel Police Station |
| 2016 onwards | Investigation handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) |
| Various dates | Multiple extensions granted for submission of investigation report |
| 9 April 2026 | Report not submitted on scheduled date |
| 18 May 2026 | New deadline set by the court |
The prolonged nature of the investigation has fuelled criticism from financial analysts and governance observers, who argue that such delays undermine public confidence in both the banking sector and the criminal justice system. They further caution that unresolved high-profile financial crimes may weaken perceptions of regulatory strength in the country’s rapidly evolving digital banking environment.
Experts emphasise that swift and transparent completion of the probe is essential not only for delivering justice but also for reinforcing safeguards against future cyber-enabled financial crimes.
As the new deadline approaches, attention remains firmly fixed on whether the CID will finally be able to present a comprehensive report that addresses one of the most consequential banking security breaches in Bangladesh’s history.
Comments