Allegations of financial misconduct have surfaced involving Rare Al Samir, the CEO of Interactive Cares, an educational technology startup based in Dhaka, and his business partner, Jamila Bupasha Khushbu. Reports indicate that the duo was apprehended at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport as they attempted to leave the country amidst accusations of embezzlement and money laundering. The Adabor police station received a formal complaint from investors and former employees of the startup, leading to the confirmation of Al Samir’s detention by both the Adabor police station and immigration authorities.
Established in 2020 to cater to the growing demand for online education during the Covid-19 pandemic, Interactive Cares, founded by Rare Al Samir and Jamila Bupasha Khushbu, offered career-oriented courses blending pre-recorded lessons, live sessions, and mentorship with a focus on enhancing employability. Leveraging social media for outreach, the platform rapidly expanded its offerings in fields like digital marketing, web development, and language test preparation.
The company’s growth strategy included a crowdfunding approach, allowing individuals to invest in the platform with the expectation of returns. However, investors allege that Rare Al Samir failed to repay the invested funds, did not deliver promised profits, and became unreachable, ignoring attempts at communication. Concerns were raised over potential money laundering activities, with estimates suggesting outstanding debts could exceed Tk 10 crore.
According to an anonymous investor, “He has taken money from so many people, and now no one can reach him. The amounts are significant, and there has been no repayment, no profit sharing – nothing. At this point, I also suspect there may be money laundering involved.” Employees of Interactive Cares also reported unpaid salaries, prompting discussions about legal recourse.
Rare Al Samir refuted the accusations, stating, “The allegations are not true. No money laundering issue is involved. Everyone will get their money back within a month or two.” He acknowledged being detained by the police due to a “misunderstanding.”
Interactive Cares garnered interest from both local and international investors in recent years, with reports indicating a $100,000 investment in 2023 through the Accelerating Asia accelerator program. However, Accelerating Asia clarified that while Interactive Cares participated in the accelerator, no formal investment was made as the startup did not meet the necessary investment criteria.
Despite these developments, Interactive Cares has not released an official statement addressing the allegations.