The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has arrested five people linked to Agrani Bank’s Sreenagar branch in Munshiganj over allegations of embezzling more than Tk 8.19 crore from 91 customers through fake fixed deposit receipts (FDRs) and cheque fraud.

An ACC team led by Assistant Director Mahathir Mohammad Sami and Deputy Assistant Director Md Rabiul Islam conducted a drive at the branch on Thursday (October 8) and arrested the five. ACC Public Relations Officer Aktarul Islam confirmed the matter.

The arrested individuals are suspended cash officer Md Jinnah Hossain, former branch manager and senior principal officer Rezaul Haque, former branch manager and principal officer Md Sharif Uddin, security guard Ranjু Ahmed, and suspended security guard Abdul Hai. They were shown arrested in the case.

According to the ACC, its investigation has so far found preliminary evidence of the embezzlement of Tk 8,19,80,826 from affected customers. The commission has taken statements from 91 affected customers, while investigators suspect that the number of victims could exceed 200.

The ACC said the accused allegedly lured customers with promises of higher interest rates and created fake FDRs. They also allegedly embezzled customers’ money through cheque forgery, fake deposit slips and manipulation of bank account information.

The commission said further evidence is being collected to determine the exact number of affected customers and the total amount embezzled.

The ACC is expected to file a first information report (FIR) in connection with the incident soon.