Photo: Collected
A gang has set a fraud trap around the opportunity of collateral-free loans of Tk 20 lakh. Luring young entrepreneurs with the promise of getting them this loan under Bangladesh Bank’s ‘Udyog’ programme, it is trying to grab money through bKash and other channels. The central bank has warned everyone about the matter.
Bangladesh Bank issued the warning in a post on social media on Thursday.
Under ‘Udyog’, the upazila-based young entrepreneur search, identification and financing programme, Bangladesh Bank will provide collateral-free loans of Tk 20 lakh. Of this, Tk 10 lakh has to be repaid, and the remaining Tk 10 lakh will be given as a grant.
In the warning, the central bank said it had recently come to its notice that some individuals were trying to grab money through bKash and other mobile financial services and other means by luring people with the promise of loans under the ‘Udyog’ programme.
In this regard, Bangladesh Bank said all activities of the ‘Udyog’ programme are being carried out with transparency, neutrality and due process.
Everyone concerned has therefore been specially requested not to pay any person or group in the name of guaranteeing a loan or getting a loan under the programme.
The central bank also said it has no official Facebook page named ‘Udyog’, nor an official page on any other social media platform. If anyone opens a fake Facebook page or account in this name to spread misleading information or carry out fraud, legal action will be taken against the person or group concerned under the existing information and communication technology law and other applicable laws.
Bangladesh Bank has asked everyone to stay alert to such fraud and not to be swayed by misleading publicity.
The central bank has also widened the scope of this special financing programme, aimed at building young people into entrepreneurs and creating new jobs. Applications are now being taken from young entrepreneurs in the remaining 56 districts. The process, which began on 1 November, will continue until 30 November.
Background
According to a bdnews24.com report of 8 October 2026, Bangladesh Bank announced the programme on 3 September and later issued its policy. The policy brings entrepreneurs aged up to 28 under the financing.
Applications for the remaining districts opened after the first phase of applications from eight districts was completed — Desh Rupantor reported this on 1 November 2026.
By the numbers
According to a Desh Rupantor report of 3 September 2026, the programme started initially with 640 entrepreneurs, with plans to expand it later to other districts and upazilas.
Sources
Background sources: bdnews24.com, 8 October 2026; Desh Rupantor, 1 November 2026; Desh Rupantor, 3 September 2026
