STAR REPORT

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested a former bank official on allegations of using a customer’s returned credit card for years and carrying out transactions worth more than Tk 17 lakh.

The accused, Sarwar Hossain, 40, was arrested in Dhaka’s Gulshan area on Monday, according to a CID press release issued yesterday.

CID said the alleged fraud began in 2017 when a customer applied for a credit card but later decided to return it. Sarwar, then a senior relationship officer in retail banking card sales, allegedly kept the card instead of surrendering it.

Investigators alleged that he altered the customer’s contact information by adding a fake mobile number and address, enabling him to receive OTPs and use the card for transactions.

According to CID, Sarwar continued using the card even after leaving the bank in 2019.

The matter came to light when the customer checked his Credit Information Bureau report, found an outstanding liability in his name, and lodged a complaint with Bangladesh Bank.

Following an internal inquiry, the bank reportedly detected the irregularities and filed a case with Tejgaon Industrial Area Police Station on April 15.

CID said transactions worth more than Tk 17 lakh were made using the card. Although Tk 14.13 lakh was repaid over the years, an outstanding amount of Tk 5.57 lakh, including interest, remained unpaid.

Sarwar has been accused of misappropriating the outstanding amount. CID said he would be produced before a court.