Online Report : Finance Minister Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali told parliament on Thursday that people are getting involved in various criminal activities like online gambling or betting, gaming, forex or crypto-currency trading and hundi business through mobile financial services (MFSs) and digital payments in the country.

"As a result, money laundering from the country is increasing, affecting the overall economy," he said.

On behalf of the finance minister, State Minister Waseqa Ayesha Khan stated it while replying to a written question of ruling party lawmaker M Abdul Latif in parliament.

The finance minister said the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) and other law enforcing agencies concerned have been working together to prevent money laundering through online gambling/betting and hundi.

Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali said a total of 48,586 personal MFS accounts have been suspended so far on suspicion of involvement in online gambling/betting and hundi trading.

Besides, he said punitive measures have been taken against 5,766 agents, while 5,029 agent ships have been cancelled for their involvement in hundi trading.

Moreover, the transactions of the accounts of 10,666 MFS agents have been blocked.

Apart from these, 1,096 websites, 182 apps and 1,002 social media pages have been identified and referred to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) and law enforcing agencies concerned to take necessary measures.

The minister said the government has taken initiatives to amend "The Public Gambling Act 1867" with the inclusion of the definitions of gambling/online gambling/casino etc and incorporating laws for strict punishment for such offenses.

Replying to another question from Luxmipur-1 constituency`s Anwar Hossain Khan MP, the finace minister said the government doesn`t have any plan right now to raise the interest rates of savings certificates.