Fugitive Financier: E-Orange COO Amanullah Arrested at Airport
Law enforcement authorities have arrested Amanullah Chowdhury, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the controversial e-commerce platform E-Orange and Joint Convenor of Dhaka District Jubo League, while he was allegedly attempting to flee the country. The arrest took place on June 27, based on confidential intelligence, confirmed Taslima Akhter, Officer-in-Charge of Airport Police Station.
She stated, “Amanullah has multiple fraud-related cases filed against him in various police stations across the capital. Based on a tip-off, a special team of Airport Police carried out a targeted operation and apprehended him. He will be sent to court following necessary legal procedures.”
Amanullah is accused of embezzling over BDT 11 billion from ordinary consumers through the now-defunct high-profile e-commerce platform E-Orange. According to official records, a total of 54 cases have been filed against him in connection with the scam. Despite serving jail time in several of these fraud cases, he had been out on bail and evading authorities until his recent arrest.
Reliable sources claim that Amanullah was not only involved in financial fraud but also served as a financier and associate of the former "fascist" Awami League government. It is alleged that during the mass student uprising against the government in July 2024, Amanullah provided financial support to leaders and activists of Dhaka Metropolitan and Dhaka District units of the Awami Jubo League and Awami League.
In addition, sources say that Amanullah, known for his expertise in IT, played an active role in spreading propaganda against the anti-discrimination student movement. Reportedly, with assistance from officials affiliated with the government-backed Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), he operated a propaganda cell named Sheikh Hasinatai Astha (Trust in Sheikh Hasina) from his office in Elephant Road. This cell worked around the clock to counter the narratives of the student-led protests.
Investigations further reveal that Amanullah orchestrated a staged imprisonment under the patronage of the then Awami government as part of a larger scheme to mislead public opinion and law enforcement while concealing the embezzled funds linked to the E-Orange scandal.
It is worth noting that Amanullah had been in hiding since the student-led mass uprising on August 5, following which he became widely known both as a key financial supporter of the Awami League and the prime accused in the high-profile E-Orange embezzlement case.
