Interactive Cares CEO Rare Al Samir Detained at Airport

Rare Al Samir, the founder and CEO of the prominent edtech startup Interactive Cares, was detained today at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. Authorities intervened while Al Samir was reportedly attempting to leave the country following a wave of allegations involving embezzlement and money laundering. The detention was confirmed by the immigration police and the Officer-in-Charge of Adabor Thana.

The move comes as investors and former employees level serious accusations against the entrepreneur. Investors allege that Al Samir failed to repay invested capital, stopped distributing promised profits, and eventually became unreachable, refusing to answer communication from those who funded the venture.

Multiple investors have come forward, suggesting that the total amount owed could exceed a minimum of Tk 10 crore. Sadman Hossain, a businessman who invested in the platform, expressed the frustration shared by many. "He has taken money from so many people, and now no one can reach him," Hossain said. "The amounts are significant, and there has been no repayment or profit sharing. At this point, I strongly suspect money laundering is involved."

The financial trouble extends to the company’s internal operations as well. Several current and former staff members revealed that salaries have gone unpaid for months, leading many to consider formal legal action against the startup's leadership.

Despite the detention and the mounting evidence from investors, Rare Al Samir has maintained his innocence. Speaking before his detention, he denied the claims of financial misconduct. "The allegations are not true," Al Samir stated. "There is no money laundering involved; it was never done. Everyone will get their money back within a month or two."

Founded in 2020 by Rare Al Samir and Jamila Bupasha Khushbu, Interactive Cares capitalized on the surge in online learning during the Covid-19 pandemic. The platform gained traction by offering career-focused courses in digital marketing, web development, and language preparation, utilizing a mix of live classes and mentorship.

The startup’s growth was fueled in part by a crowdfunding-style investment model, attracting individual backers with the promise of high returns. In 2023, the company gained international recognition when it received $100,000 in investment through the "Accelerating Asia" accelerator program, notably being the only Bangladeshi startup selected in its cohort.

As the investigation unfolds, the future of the edtech platform remains uncertain, with authorities expected to scrutinize the company’s financial records to track the allegedly misappropriated funds.