Dhaka — The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has started an investigation into whether there are financial irregularities in the e-commerce company Evaly.

A two-member committee has been formed by the ACC to look into the 339 crores takas taken in advance from customers and merchants.

An investigation committee has been formed with Assistant Director Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury as Chief and Assistant Deputy Director Muhammad Shihab Salam as members.

338.62 crore taka taken from customers and merchants, which is likely to be embezzled or illegally removed elsewhere.

Earlier on July 4, the Commerce Ministry had written to four government agencies to take necessary action after investigating various allegations against Evaly.

The institutions are the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Public Security Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Bangladesh Competition Commission and the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate. The ACC has started the investigation on the basis of the recommendation of the Ministry of Commerce.

In the letter, the Commerce Ministry said, “Only 16.14 % of customers will be able to deliver or refund goods with the current assets of Evaly. It is not possible for the company to pay the dues of the remaining customers and merchants.”

Moreover, no trace of Tk338.62 crore taken from customers and merchants has been found, which is likely to be embezzled or illegally removed elsewhere.

According to the ACC sources, the investigation has been started based on the letter from the Commerce Ministry. The investigation will try to find out what e-Valley has done to customers in advance, as well as whether the money has been laundered.

An ACC official said that some customer-level complaints had been submitted to the ACC before. However, the allegations did not clarify anything specific.