A group of agents of Jubok, a multi-level marketing company that embezzled clients’ deposits, have been said to be trying to lure cheated depositors into investing money again by promising return of their previous deposits.
A number of depositors said some Jubok agents recently held a meeting with them at Mojammel Hossain Khan Junior School in Beltala area. The attendees were told they could get back a portion of their earlier deposits if they made fresh investments in Venus Shopping Centre on KB Hemayetuddin road.
Apart from residential units, the two-storey shopping centre built on an 18-decimal land has 43 shops of a range of categories and the office of Karnaphuli Insurance Company Limited.
The Jubok agents proposed those who want to get a refund should invest Tk1.20 crore altogether. They said 60 people could deposit Tk20 lakh each that could lead to the refund of previous deposits.
In return of the fresh deposits, the depositors were promised ownership of the shopping centre. The agents also said the fresh depositors could get back their previous deposits and fresh deposits along with profits by selling the “valuable” property in the future.
Anisul Huq Kamal, president of the school’s management committee, said he had allowed some locals to hold a meeting at the school but had no idea of its agenda. The school’s Headmaster Md Shakil, however, said some Jubok men arranged the meeting.
Md Babul Mia, a Jubok client from Bogra road area, said Jubok agent Md Rezaul Islam assured him of a full return of his previous and fresh investments at the meeting.
Syed Shah Newaz Shanu, president of Venus Shopping Center Traders’ Association, said the traders pay rents at Rupali Bank’s Barisal branch.
Rupali Bank officials, however, denied this, saying they get no rent from any of the traders. They also said the rents are paid at Janata Bank’s Barisal branch.
However, Janata Bank officials said no trader of the market deposit rent with their bank. Golam Kabir, secretary of the association, said Jubok client Rashida Begum occupied a residential unit of the shopping centre and said she was the owner of the whole property.
“In 2010, she pressed the traders to pay rents. The association then lodged a case against her,” he said.
“The court in a ruling said no portion of the market should be sold or rented till the case was disposed of. A signboard was also placed in front of the market stating the court order,” he added.
Advocate Azad Rahman, lawyer of the association, said none could sell or hand over ownership of the property until the case was disposed of.