The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has issued a public warning over a growing number of fraudulent schemes in which criminals are using the organisation’s name, logo and the identities of its officials to deceive people with fake loan offers and attempts to collect money illegally.
In a recent alert sent to the media, ADB’s Dhaka office said it had received reports of several incidents where fraudsters were contacting individuals while falsely claiming to be ADB representatives, employees or authorised partners. The scammers allegedly promise loans, grants or financial assistance and later demand payments in the name of application fees, registration charges, processing costs or other supposed expenses.
ADB said fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated methods to make their claims appear genuine. These include creating fake websites, operating counterfeit social media accounts, producing forged identity documents, presenting fabricated approval letters and using artificial paperwork designed to mislead potential victims.
The development institution made it clear that it does not provide direct personal loans, grants or financial assistance to individuals. It also does not require anyone to pay advance fees or charges in exchange for receiving financial support. Any request for money as a condition for loan approval or fund release should therefore be treated as a warning sign.
According to ADB, people should remain cautious if someone claiming to represent the organisation asks for sensitive personal or financial information. Requests for bank account details, mobile financial service numbers, national identity information, passwords or other confidential data should be considered suspicious, particularly when they are linked to promises of quick financial assistance.
Fraudsters often exploit public trust in well-known international organisations. Similar scams have previously involved the names of other global development institutions, as criminals attempt to use the reputation of established organisations to gain credibility. The rapid expansion of online communication platforms and social media has made it easier for such fraudulent activities to reach a wider audience.
Experts say scammers frequently target individuals who are financially vulnerable, including unemployed young people, small entrepreneurs and those urgently seeking loans. Offers that promise large amounts of money with minimal requirements, immediate approval and unusually favourable terms are among the common signs of fraudulent schemes.
ADB has advised the public not to respond to unsolicited loan proposals from unknown individuals or organisations. People have also been urged not to transfer advance payments, share confidential information or provide documents without properly verifying the identity and legitimacy of the sender.
The organisation said anyone who receives suspicious communication claiming to be from ADB should report the matter to the relevant law enforcement authorities. Prompt reporting can help prevent further financial losses and assist authorities in taking action against those involved in such crimes.
ADB remains one of Bangladesh’s key development partners and has supported numerous projects across sectors including infrastructure, energy, education, healthcare, transport, climate resilience and economic development. However, the organisation stressed that all of its assistance is provided through established institutional procedures and transparent project-based mechanisms rather than through direct personal lending.
The bank reiterated that individuals approached with private loan offers under the ADB name should assume the communication is fraudulent unless verified through official channels. It called on the public to remain vigilant, carefully check any financial proposal and avoid making decisions based solely on promises of quick access to funds.
Raising public awareness and reporting suspicious activities quickly are considered essential steps in preventing financial fraud. ADB said greater caution among individuals and communities can help ensure that criminals are unable to misuse the reputation of international development organisations for personal