Bangladesh’s missing billions, stolen in plain sight | FT Film

Bangladesh’s missing billions, stolen in plain sight | FT Film

by Financial Times

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought Politics & Institutions JPPolitics and governmentJPZCorruption in politics, government and society
🎙 Financial Times 👥 1.4M 📅 September 11, 2025 ⏱ 21 min 👁 620K 📄 documentary 🧭 2026-08-06
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

Bangladeshcorruptionmoney launderingSheikh Hasinaasset recovery

Summary

The FT Film investigates the alleged plunder of an estimated $234 billion from Bangladesh during Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule. It traces the fall of Hasina, the role of the UK as a haven for corrupt money, and the investigations into key figures like Tulip Siddiq and Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. The documentary explains the mechanisms of corruption, including banking takeovers and hundi networks, and discusses the interim government’s efforts to recover the stolen assets. It highlights the challenges of international asset recovery and the political implications for Bangladesh’s future.

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Critical Evaluation

The documentary provides a compelling and well-researched account of systemic corruption in Bangladesh, backed by interviews with protesters, experts, and officials. It effectively exposes the scale of the plunder and the international dimension, particularly the role of the UK in facilitating money laundering. The investigation into specific properties and individuals adds concrete evidence. However, the film relies heavily on estimates and allegations that are not fully verified, and it presents a one-sided narrative without significant counterarguments from the accused. The production quality is high, with clear storytelling and visual aids. The title accurately reflects the content, and the documentary succeeds in raising awareness about a critical issue. While it could benefit from more balanced perspectives, it remains a valuable piece of investigative journalism.

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Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on the alleged plunder of billions from Bangladesh and the efforts to recover them.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The documentary is produced by the Financial Times, a reputable news organization, and features interviews with experts, officials, and protesters. It presents a well-documented investigation with specific figures and references to ongoing legal and financial probes. However, some claims rely on estimates and allegations that are not independently verified within the film.

Chapters

Cited Sources

  • FT Edit — Promotional link for FT subscription, mentioned in the description.
  • FT Podcasts — Link to FT podcasts, mentioned in the description.
  • FT Schools — Link to FT's free student subscription, mentioned in the description.

Concurring Sources

Dissenting Sources

  • Sheikh Hasina's denial — The documentary mentions that Hasina's supporters deny the allegations, but no specific source is provided.

Contribution & Novelties

The documentary provides a comprehensive and accessible overview of the Bangladesh corruption scandal, highlighting the role of the UK as a destination for illicit funds. It offers new insights into the mechanisms of money laundering and the challenges of asset recovery.

Pour aller plus loin :

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Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in quantity and quality of information, with a moderate technical level. The reliability is strong, reflecting the FT's reputation and the use of expert interviews.

Reliability 8/10

💬 Très positif. Sur les 30 commentaires analysés, la majorité exprime gratitude et soutien au FT pour avoir exposé la corruption, avec quelques appels à la justice et des comparaisons avec d'autres scandales.