Evaly
Evaly scam case: Actress Mithila, Shabnam Faria seek anticipatory bail
Actress Rafiath Rashid Mithila and Shabnam Faria sought anticipatory bail on Sunday in a case filed against them over fraud and embezzlement associated with their involvement in shuttered e-commerce platform Evaly.
Lawyer Niaz Morshed on behalf of Mithila and Jasmine Sultana on behalf of Faria submitted the petitions at the High Court today.
The HC bench of Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim and Md Atwar Rahman are expected to hear the petitions on Monday.
On December 4, a victim customer of Evaly, Saad Sam Rahman, filed the case with Dhanmondi police station against nine people including Evaly CEO Mohammad Rassel, Chairman Shamima Nasrin, Actor Tahsan Khan, Mithila, and Faria.
Read: Tahsan, Mithila, Faria face possible arrest over Evaly scam
The other accused in the case are Akash, Arif, Taher and Md Abu Taish Kayes.
Mohammad Rassel and Shamima Nasrin, in police custody since the company went bust, were shown arrested in this case.
According to the case, celebrities Tahsan Khan, Rafiath Rashid Mithila and Shabnam Faria were in different positions. Because of their presence and their various promotional talks, Saad Sam invested Tk 3,18,000 in Evaly. He alleged that the plaintiff in the case was deceived because of these celebrities’ promotional talks
Ikram Ali, Officer-in-Charge of Dhanmondi police station said these celebrities may be arrested if evidence of their involvement in the allegations against them is found.
Tahsan was the Goodwill ambassador of Evaly, and Mithila was associated with Evaly as the face of the company's lifestyle products. Besides, Shabnam Faria joined as the Chief Public Relations Officer.
Tahsan, Mithila, Faria face possible arrest over Evaly scam
A case has been filed against celebrities Tahsan Khan, Rafiath Rashid Mithila, Shabnam Faria and six others over fraud by a customer of e-commerce platform Evaly. Police said they will be arrested at any time in the case.
Tahsan was the Goodwill ambassador of Evaly, and Mithila was associated with Evaly as the face of the company's lifestyle products. Besides, Shabnam Faria joined as the Chief Public Relations Officer.
Ikram Ali Mia, Officer-in-Charge of Dhanmondi Police Station, told UNB on Friday that Saad Sam, a customer of Evaly, had filed a petition in the court on December 4.
Read: HC committee seals off 4 warehouses of Evaly
After the hearing, the court directed the Dhanmondi police station to file a case considering the customer's petition as an FIR after investigating the matter, said the OC.
The OC further said that they have already filed a case and started an investigation in this regard. Legal action will be taken as per the investigation, he added.
The OC said these celebrities may be arrested if evidence of their involvement in the allegations against them is found.
Read: Ministry working to refund Evaly customers’ money: Munshi
According to the case, celebrities Tahsan Khan, Rafiath Rashid Mithila and Shabnam Faria were in different positions. Because of their presence and their various promotional talks, Saad Sam invested Tk 3,18,000 in Evaly. He alleged that the plaintiff in the case was deceived because of these celebrities’ promotional talks.
The others accused in the case are Evaly CEO Mohammad Rassel, his wife Shamima Nasrin who is the chairman of the company, Akash, Arif, Taher and Md Abu Taish Kayes.
HC committee seals off 4 warehouses of Evaly
The committee formed by the High Court to manage, control and asses the liabilities of controversial e-commerce platform Evaly has sealed off its four wearhouses at Savar on Monday.
The five-membered committee led by former Appellate Division justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik visited two warehouses at Aminbazar and two others at Baliarpur Monday noon.
The committed found some beverages, television sets and packed electronic products in one of the warehouses.
Also read: HC bans sale-transfer of Evaly’s property
Ministry working to refund Evaly customers’ money: Munshi
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has said he got a directive to refund the money of Evaly customers.
The ministry is working to prepare a guideline and checking the information of customers, and the legal procedure is underway in this regard, he told reporters on Monday.
The minister was talking to the journalists after a high-level meeting of the committee formed by the government to monitor e-commerce activities.
READ: Explore new markets to sustain RMG industry: Commerce Minister
Sources at the ministry said the Bangladesh Bank (BB) has gathered the updated information of Evaly’s accounts with Tk 500 crore deposited.
Of the amount, the central bank also got information of customers involving Tk 214 crore paid to Evaly from July1, 2021 to end the operation of its business.
READ: Take opportunity of PIFIC to boost export: Commerce Minister
The central cannot gather the information of the remaining of Tk 286 crore paid to the Evaly, according to the sources.
Regarding Destiny and Jubok, the minister said, “Both the organisations have some assets and we can return at least half of money of their customers if the assets could be sold legally.”
Adviser to the Prime Minister on private sector investment Salman Fazlur Rahman, Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Junaid Ahmed Palak and representatives of the ministries concerned and agencies were present at the meeting.
HC forms 5-member board to assess Evaly’s liabilities
The High Court on Monday formed a 5-member board to manage, control and assess the liabilities of e-commerce platform Evaly.
Former justice Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik will lead the board.
Read:Evaly in admin: HC receives three ex-secys' names
Other members of the board are former secretary Mohammad Rezaul Ahsan and additional secretary Mahbub Kabir Milon, chartered accountant Fakhruddin Ahmed and lawyer Barrister Khan Mohammad Shamim Aziz.
The single company HC bench of Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar passed the interim order following a petition seeking liquidation of the company.
Syed Mahsib Hossain, counsel of the petitioner, said the High Court has constituted a 5-member board for Evaly’s management .
The board has been asked to submit a report on the company on the next due date.
Earlier on October 12, Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam suggested the formation of an interim board to manage the controversial e-commerce platform.
Read: Evaly's liabilities over Tk 1,000 crore
A plea was filed by a disgruntled customer named Md Farhad Hossen seeking court directives for dissolution of Evaly. He demanded a refund from the liquidation of Evaly's property.
It also sought formation of a board of directors to control and manage Evaly. Following a preliminary hearing on the application, the HC on September 22 banned the sale and transfer of immovable and movable property of Evaly. At the same time, the court wanted to know why the company would not be
On September 30, the court directed the Registrar for Joint Stock Companies and Firms to submit all the documents of Evaly to the court by October 11, which they did.
“This documents ahve been submitted to the court. However, they have not been examined yet.The board has been formed for this purpose,” lawyer Syed Mahsib Hossain said.
A handful of cases have been filed against Evaly CEO Mohammad Rassel, and his wife Shamima Nasrin who is the chairman of the company, on allegations of embezzlement and cheque fraud.
The couple was arrested on September 16.
Evaly in admin: HC receives three ex-secys' names
The Commerce Ministry has proposed the names of three former secretaries in response to a request from the High Court, which is in the process of appointing a board to administer controversial e-commerce platform Evaly.
Retired secretary of the Ministry of Land Maksudur Rahman Patwari, retired secretary of Local Government and Rural Development Rezaul Ahsan and former chairman of the Land Reforms Board Yakub Ali Patwari.
HC had asked for names of currently serving secretaries along with three former one.
Read: HC bans sale-transfer of Evaly’s property
At the same time, it said that the orders on the formation of the board of administrators for Evaly will be passed on October 18.
HC company bench of Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar on Wednesday passed the order.
As the top two officials (CEO and chairman) of Evaly are in jail, the same bench on Tuesday said it would form a four-member board for Evaly to try and track the money the platform has allegedly embezzled.
Read: Evaly CEO remanded again, wife lands in jail
Commerce Ministry lawyer Taposh Kanti said the names of the three retired secretaries have been given. The court said to provide the names of the working secretaries as well.
However, HC said that the board members would be finalized after verification.
HC bans sale-transfer of Evaly’s property
The High Court on Wednesday ordered a ban on the sale and transfer of movable and immovable property of controversial e-commerce platform, Evaly.
The HC company bench of Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar passed the order after the hearing of an application by customer Farhad Hossain seeking the dissolution of the beleaguered company.
Barrister AM Masum and Barrister Syed Mahsib Hossain presented arguments in favour of the applicant.
After the hearing Syed Mahsib told reporters that custyomer Farhad ordered electronics products from Evaly in May and paid advance. The company provided him a payment receipt as well but he didn’t receive the products.
Read: Writ seeks judicial inquiry into e-commerce scams
Eventually, when Farhad did neither get his money back nor the products he approached the court asking for disbandment of Evaly, he said.
Syed Mahsib further said that besides directing not to sell or transfer the movable and immovable property of Evaly the court issued a notice asking why Evaly will not be terminated.
Defendants have been asked to respond within September 30, the next date set for further hearing.
Evaly Limited, Registrar Joint Stock Companies and Firms, Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit, Consumer Rights Protection Bureau, Nagad, Bkash, Bangladesh Competition Commission, E-Cab Association of Bangladesh, BASIS, Bangladesh Bank and Commerce Secretary have been asked to reply to the notice.
Evaly CEO Mohammad Rassel and his wife Shamima Nasrin, the chairman of the platform were arrested on September 16, after a customer named Arif Baker filed a case at Gulshan Police Station alleging that e-commerce platform was not delivering product despite taking advanced payments.
Another case filed against Evaly CEO, wife, 12 others
Another case has been filed against 14 people, including Evaly CEO Mohammad Rassel and his wife Shamima Nasrin, chairman of the company, on charge of embezzlement and fraudulence.
Mohammad Quamrul Islam, another aggrieved customer and son of Junedul Islam of Old Paltan area, filed the case with Dhanmondi Model Police Station on Friday, said its officer-in-charge Ikram Ali.
Akash, vice president of Evaly, Tanvir Alam, senior accounts manager, Zahedul Islam, manager, Jawadul Haque Chowdhury, senior executive, are among the accused.
Read:E-commerce firms like Evaly, E-orange to face action: DMP
Earlier, on September 17, Rab personnel arrested Evaly CEO Rassel and his wife Nasrin, from their Mohammadpur residence.
Rassel and Shamima were arrested after an aggrieved customer, Arif Baker, lodged a case with Gulshan police station accusing them and few other company executives of embezzlement and fraudulence.
A Dhaka court on Friday placed them on a three-day remand.
Read: Evaly’s liabilities over Tk 1,000 crore
Besides, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), an arm of the Bangladesh Bank that specializes in financial crime investigations, directed all the commercial banks and financial institutions through a common letter on August 27 to freeze all the bank accounts operated by top executives of Evaly.
The Directorate of National Consumer Right Protection, a department under the Commerce Ministry, received allegations from consumers about “cheating” by Evaly.
Bangladesh Bank officials said one of the major allegations against Evaly is forcing its consumers to deposit their money in the e-wallet of the firm which was totally illegal.
E-commerce firms like Evaly, E-orange to face action: DMP
Stern action will be taken against e-commerce firms like Evaly and E-orange, said AKM Hafiz Akhter, additional commissioner (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).
“There’re many organisations like Evaly and E-orange which are involved in fraudulence. They’re involved in cheating on customers through offering prices lower than the market ones. Investigations are on and action will be taken after the investigations,” he said while speaking at a press briefing at DMP media centre on Saturday.
“We want good e-commerce platforms to flourish in the country, but action will be taken those who indulge in cheating,” said Hafiz.
Also read: Evaly’s liabilities over Tk 1,000 crore
Evaly’s fraudulence
Evaly CEO Mohammad Rassel and his wife Shamima Nasrin were arrested after an aggrieved customer, Arif Baker, lodged a case with Gulshan police station accusing them and few other company executives of embezzlement and fraudulence.
Sub-inspector Ahidul Islam, the investigation officer of the case, said the case was registered over the allegation of embezzlement of money and fraudulence.
Besides, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), an arm of the Bangladesh Bank that specializes in financial crime investigations, directed all the commercial banks and financial institutions through a common letter on August 27 to freeze all the bank accounts operated by top executives of Evaly.
The Directorate of National Consumer Right Protection, a department under the Commerce Ministry, received allegations from consumers about “cheating” by Evaly.
Bangladesh Bank officials said one of the major allegations against Evaly is forcing its consumers to deposit their money in the e-wallet of the firm which was totally illegal.
Also read: Owner of e-orange.shop, 2 others land in jail
E-orange
On September 2, a Dhaka court sent virtual outlet e-orange.shop owner Sonia Mehzabin, her husband Masukur Rahman and, Chief Operating Officer, Aman Ullah to jail in a fraud case filed over embezzlement of Tk 1,100 crore from consumers.
Earlier on August 23, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Morshed Al Mamun Bhuiyan placed the accused on a 5-day remand in the fraud case.
On August 17, the court sent them to jail rejecting their bail prayers when they surrendered to Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Abubakar Siddique's court.
On August 16, an aggrieved customer of E-Orange Md, Taherul Islam, filed a fraud case with Gulshan police in presence of 37 other customers who testified against the accused.
Evaly’s liabilities over Tk 1,000 crore
Mohammad Rassel, the man behind Evaly, in 2009 started his career as a coaching center teacher who by 2018 became the owner of a company with over 3,700 employees, and positioned as the country’s second largest e-commerce platform.
With year-long huge discounts and up to 150% cashback offers the platform was able to attract a huge number of customers across the country.
But with complaints and irregularities it soon became a name for controversy in the e-commerce market.
On September 16, after the arrest of Evaly’s CEO Mohammad Rassel and Chairperson, his wife Shamima Nasrin RAB revealed that the platform counts liabilities over Tk 1,000 crore.
Though Rassel wanted to create Evaly’s brand value to sell the platform to some foreign company, the supply chain could not be maintained and liabilities kept growing, he said.
The couple also admitted that they had little investment on the platform. The discount-trap was what made customers pay advance for the products that fueled the growth of this platform.
On Friday afternoon a Dhaka court placed Rassel and Nasrin on a three-remand leaving millions of its customers in worries of never getting back their money and keeping the country waiting for more insights into this burning scam.
From coaching center to Evaly
Rassel was from Dhaka's Savar and grew up in a boarding school. After his post-graduation in 2007, he started teaching in a coaching center from 2009. In 2011, he got into the banking sector where in several banks he worked for six years and learned the mechanism behind the banking process. Meanwhile in 2013, he completed his MBA and started developing different business ideas. In 2017, he developed a company for kids' products that eventually became the Kidz Diaper brand. Selling the diaper brand Rassel established Evaly in December 2018, making himself the CEO and his wife Nasrin the chairman of the e-commerce platform.
Evaly mechanism
With over 4.4 million registered customers the platform has always made year-long huge discounts and cashback offers. With advanced payments from the customers the platform grabbed more customers by increasing the level of promotion, i.e. increasing the discount. In this manner the platform used customers’ money to bring more money into its account; more similar to a Ponzi scheme: advance payment from customers - use the money to run massive promotion campaigns - get more money – repeat.
According to Rassel, Evaly followed the strategy of making 1: 2 attractive deal offers more like the foreign e-commerce platforms and extracted money from the manufacturers-customers supply chain. His eventual plan was to build brand value of the platform to sell it at a huge price - something he almost thought he had with the Jamuna Group in the final stretch. All the liabilities too would of course be transferred.
For this reason, even after the notices from the ministry asking for transaction records, Evaly did not disclose any such information - it rather sought six months more, during which Rassell the showman would surely try and get someone to pay for his greatest trick. But this time the show was over, and no-one was buying.