Rare Al Samir, the individual behind the establishment of Interactive Cares, an educational technology startup based in Dhaka, along with his partner Jamila Bupasha Khushbu, were apprehended at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka while allegedly attempting to depart the country amidst accusations of financial misappropriation and money laundering. A formal complaint was lodged against the pair at the Adabor police station by a group of investors and former employees of the startup. Both the officer-in-charge of Adabor police station and the immigration authorities confirmed the detention of Al Samir.
Interactive Cares was established in 2020 by Rare Al Samir and Jamila Bupasha Khushbu in response to the increasing demand for online education during the Covid-19 pandemic. The platform was designed around career-oriented courses, offering a blend of pre-recorded lessons, live sessions, and mentorship, with a focus on enhancing employability. Leveraging social media for outreach, the startup swiftly expanded its offerings to include programs in fields like digital marketing, web development, and language test preparation.
As part of its expansion strategy, the company adopted a crowdfunding approach for investments, allowing individuals to invest in the platform with the anticipation of financial returns. However, investors have alleged that Rare Al Samir failed to reimburse the invested sums, did not deliver the promised profits, and has been unresponsive, avoiding communication with those who invested in the enterprise.
Multiple investors revealed that the outstanding dues could surpass a minimum of Tk 10 crore. “He has received funds from numerous individuals, but now he is untraceable,” remarked an investor who chose to remain anonymous. “The sums involved are substantial, with no repayments or profit-sharing observed. I suspect there might be indications of money laundering at play,” the investor added.
Numerous present and former employees of Interactive Cares disclosed that salaries had gone unpaid for several months, leading some to contemplate legal recourse.
When contacted, Al Samir refuted the accusations stating, “The allegations are baseless. There is no involvement of money laundering. Everyone will be refunded within the next month or two.” He acknowledged being in police custody due to a “misunderstanding.”
In recent times, Interactive Cares has garnered early-stage investments from both local and international sources. In 2023, the startup purportedly secured a $100,000 investment as part of the Accelerating Asia accelerator program, where it was recognized as the sole Bangladeshi startup selected in its cohort.
Nonetheless, Accelerating Asia clarified that while Interactive Cares partook in the accelerator initiative, no formal investment was extended, as the company did not meet the necessary investment criteria.
Interactive Cares has refrained from issuing an official statement addressing the allegations.
