Flight Expert “Runs Away with Money” in Bangladesh: Booking Platform Collapses, CEO Allegedly Flees
In early August 2025, Flight Expert—a leading online travel agency in Bangladesh—shocked thousands of customers when its website went dark, phone lines were disconnected, and its CEO reportedly disappeared overnight. Accusations quickly emerged that the company had absconded with substantial customer funds, leaving travelers and agents in distress.
Source: © Shahriar Shovon 2025
What Happened?
- On August 2, 2025, Flight Expert’s website and support lines became inaccessible. Dozens of frustrated customers and partner travel agencies gathered at the company’s Motijheel office, only to find it locked and unstaffed.
- A General Diary (GD) filed at Motijheel Police Station alleges that Managing Director Salman Bin Rashid Shah Sayeem informed employees via WhatsApp that he was leaving the country. After his departure, operations reportedly ground to a halt daily.
- Initial reports claim untold sums of money were collected from customers for flights, visa services, hotel bookings, and Hajj packages—but tickets were never issued and refunds became impossible.
Customer Chaos & Allegations
- Travelers who prepaid for domestic and international flights, Hajj packages, or tours found themselves locked out of their accounts—unable to verify ticket status or receive refunds.
- Social media erupted as aggrieved users shared stories of lost funds. In one case, influencer Surbhi Yasmin was owed a significant sponsorship payment and termed the incident as Flight Expert running away with “the money of thousands”.
- Agent customers said they collectively lost millions of taka, with some travel agencies alleging they were never reimbursed for confirmed bookings.
Behind the Collapse: Who Is Saying What?
Conflicting narratives emerged:
- According to a leaked internal message, CEO Salman claimed he was the victim of internal betrayal—accusing two company officers of withdrawing nearly Tk 30 million and blaming them for the shutdown.
- Other officials alleged the MD absconded with customer funds and caused the collapse intentionally—or at least failed to stop it.
Broader Context: Travel Scams in Bangladesh
- Flight Expert is not the first travel-related entity accused of fraudulent activities. In 2024, a visa agent named Liton Mia was arrested for allegedly defrauding approximately 400,000 people via fake airline ticket schemes, earning around Tk 3 lakh per month.
- In May 2025, Biman Bangladesh Airlines issued warnings about agents collecting money for PNR reservations (not actual tickets), which later got canceled—another example of travel-related scams in the country.
Tips for Travelers: How to Avoid OTA Scams
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Always verify tickets directly with the airline using your PNR or e‑ticket number.
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Never rely solely on third-party platforms—especially when advance payments are required.
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Use only trusted and IATA-authorized agencies or purchase tickets directly through airline websites.
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If something seems too good to be true—like steep discounts—exercise caution.
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Immediately report fraud to local authorities and retain payment receipts or transaction proofs.
Legal Action & What’s Next
- Police have initiated investigations based on the filed GDs at Motijheel, summoning company officials and gathering evidence from remaining staff.
- Uncertainties remain about whether customers and agencies will be refunded, and whether top executives, including the CEO, will face legal consequences.
Flight Expert's abrupt shutdown and the apparent disappearance of its CEO have exposed serious vulnerabilities in Bangladesh’s online travel booking ecosystem. This saga underscores the need for travelers to remain vigilant when using OTAs—favoring reliable, verified platforms—and trusting only official airline channels to avoid financial loss.
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