Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR) has issued a strong warning to taxpayers after identifying a rise in fraudulent attempts by criminal groups posing as tax officials. The scammers are allegedly contacting individuals under the pretence of income tax audits, promising to exempt taxpayers from inspections or threatening legal action unless they make immediate payments.
According to an official press release issued on Sunday, the NBR said fraudsters have recently been telephoning taxpayers and falsely claiming that their income tax returns have been selected for audit. Victims are then offered relief from the audit process in exchange for money or are intimidated with warnings of legal complications if they refuse to pay. In many cases, the fraudsters instruct taxpayers to transfer funds through mobile financial services or into personal bank accounts.
The revenue authority stressed that such communications are entirely fraudulent. It clarified that no NBR official contacts taxpayers regarding audit matters through personal mobile phone numbers or any unauthorised communication channel. Any official audit-related correspondence is carried out strictly in accordance with the law through formal written notices sent to the concerned taxpayer.
The NBR also reiterated that there is no legal provision allowing any official to waive an income tax audit in exchange for payment or to seek money directly from taxpayers. As a result, anyone receiving such offers or threats has been advised to treat them as attempted fraud and avoid making any financial transactions.
Taxpayers have also been reminded that all tax payments, outstanding dues and other government fees must be deposited into the state treasury using official government challan procedures. The NBR emphasised that no officer or individual is authorised to collect government payments through mobile financial services such as bKash, Rocket or Nagad, or through personal bank accounts. Any request to transfer money through these channels should be rejected immediately.
The authority urged taxpayers to remain vigilant if they receive suspicious telephone calls, text messages or emails claiming to represent the NBR. Before responding to any such communication, individuals are encouraged to verify its authenticity by contacting the office of the relevant Deputy Commissioner of Taxes in their respective tax zone. Confirming information through official channels can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to financial scams.
The NBR further advised that if anyone impersonating an NBR official demands money, the incident should be reported without delay to the nearest law enforcement agency. Taxpayers have also been encouraged to preserve the fraudster’s phone number and any related evidence, which could assist investigators in identifying those responsible and taking legal action.
The warning comes at a time when the country’s income tax audit programme is expanding. According to NBR data, the cumulative number of taxpayers selected for audit in three separate phases has now exceeded 100,000. Most recently, on 29 June, an additional 5,014 taxpayers were selected for audit.
Earlier, the first phase of audit selection took place in July last year, when 15,494 tax returns were chosen for examination. A second phase followed in April this year, bringing another 72,341 taxpayers under audit scrutiny. The NBR said all of these selections were made through an automated system based on income tax returns submitted for the 2023–24 tax year, reducing the scope for manual intervention and promoting transparency.
| Audit Selection Phase | Number of Taxpayers Selected |
|---|---|
| Phase One (July, last year) | 15,494 |
| Phase Two (April, this year) | 72,341 |
| Phase Three (29 June) | 5,014 |
| Total Selected in Three Phases | More than 100,000 |
The NBR also noted that taxpayers can independently verify whether their returns have been selected for audit. A list of selected taxpayers has been published on the authority’s official website in spreadsheet format, allowing individuals to search using their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). Those who remain uncertain about their audit status or receive conflicting information have been advised to contact their respective tax offices directly for clarification.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparent, accountable and harassment-free taxpayer services, the NBR urged the public to exercise caution and avoid any financial dealings with individuals falsely claiming to represent the revenue authority. Remaining alert and relying only on official communication channels, it said, is the most effective safeguard against such fraudulent schemes.