Rezaul Karim Reza:
A Facebook page titled “LGED LKSS” has allegedly been used as a tool for large-scale recruitment fraud, luring job seekers with promises of quick employment while extracting hefty bribes. Under the guise of government job opportunities, an organized syndicate is accused of deceiving hundreds of applicants through fake advertisements, forged appointment letters, and misuse of influence- leaving many victims financially devastated and without the promised salaries.
A temporary job offering a monthly salary of just Tk 27,000 has allegedly required bribes ranging from Tk 200,000 to Tk 300,000 to secure. Serious allegations of large-scale recruitment corruption have surfaced involving the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), where an organized syndicate is reportedly extorting millions through Facebook advertisements, fake appointment letters, and abuse of influence.
According to sources, a Facebook page titled “LGED, LKSS 01793976036” has been promoting job advertisements claiming guaranteed employment within seven days of document submission. Attracted by these promises, many job seekers applied, hoping for stable employment.
However, victims allege that they were later asked to pay bribes ranging from Tk 300,000 to Tk 500,000 under various pretexts. Many complied and were subsequently issued appointment letters that appeared official. Despite joining their assigned duties and working for months, they reportedly received no salaries, leaving them in severe financial distress.
Bribes Taken for Key Positions
Applicants were reportedly promised positions such as Sub-Assistant Engineer (Trainee) and Work Assistant, with approximately Tk 300,000 collected per candidate. The issuance of appointment letters gave the entire process a false sense of legitimacy.
Alarmingly, although the jobs were presented as government positions, the recruitment process was allegedly handled by a manager-level individual, which clearly violates official recruitment procedures.
Nurul Islam Named as Alleged Mastermind
Nurul Islam, identified as a manager of LKSS, has emerged as the alleged key figure behind the scam. A diploma holder, he is accused of previously securing a position as an Upazila Engineer through questionable means and has faced multiple allegations of corruption.
Sources claim that he used personal influence, including connections with senior officials, to issue hundreds of fake appointment letters in exchange for bribes ranging from Tk 300,000 to Tk 500,000.
Workers Dismissed Without Pay
In a haor region project in Sunamganj, one individual reportedly paid Tk 300,000 for a job but was dismissed after nearly a year of unpaid work and replaced by another recruit.
In another case under the Coastal Town Climate Resilience Project (LKSS-HRC), two individuals from Kushtia- Tarek Sheikh and Ashraful Islam- were appointed as Work Assistants through outsourcing on June 2, 2025.
• Tarek Sheikh: Memo No. HRC/CTCRP/Contract-259/2024/Document:622/Recruitment/Staff-52/Serial:29
• Ashraful Islam: Memo No. HRC/CTCRP/Contract-259/2024/Document:622/Recruitment/Staff-52/Serial:43
Each reportedly paid Tk 300,000, totaling Tk 600,000. They were posted to Banaripara Municipality in Barisal and Jhalakathi Municipality. After working for three to four months without receiving any salary, they were forced to return home and are now struggling under mounting debt.
Organized Syndicate Behind LKSS-HRC
Investigations suggest that most outsourced manpower for LGED projects is supplied through an entity named LKSS-HRC. Taking advantage of this arrangement, a syndicate has allegedly targeted unemployed individuals with fraudulent recruitment schemes, collecting large sums of money.
LGED sources confirm that no official outsourcing recruitment notices have been issued in the past six months, raising serious questions about the legitimacy of these appointments.
Serious Criminal Offences
Legal experts state that if proven, these allegations constitute multiple criminal offences, including:
• Bribery under the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, 2004
• Fraud under Section 420 of the Penal Code, 1860
• Criminal breach of trust under Sections 406 and 409
• Forgery through issuance of fake appointment letters
Convictions in such cases could lead to imprisonment, fines, and confiscation of assets.
Calls for Immediate ACC Action
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, there has been no clear response from the authorities, raising concerns about the existence of a broader recruitment syndicate.
Experts are calling for immediate action, including:
• A suo motu investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)
• Verification of assets of the accused individuals
• Examination of bank and mobile financial transactions
• Collection of testimonies from victims
They warn that failure to act promptly may allow the fraudulent network to expand further.
The allegation that Tk 300,000 is being taken for a job with a salary of only Tk 27,000 highlights deeper systemic corruption within the employment sector. Observers are now awaiting swift and decisive action from the authorities.
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