TBT DESK: Saimon Overseas Limited has been officially cleared of allegations of money laundering after an investigation by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism found the claims to be false, unfounded, and misleading.

According to informed sources, a vested interest group allegedly carried out a planned smear campaign against the company following its strong stance against long-standing irregularities in the air ticketing market. These irregularities include anonymous group bookings and prolonged seat blocking without passenger details—practices widely blamed for artificially inflating airfares and creating instability in the market.

The initiative against such unethical practices was led by Afsia Jannat Saleh, Managing Director of Saimon Overseas Limited and Secretary General of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) for the 2024–2025 term.

Sources claim that her reform-oriented role and firm position against syndication and manipulation in the ticketing sector triggered retaliatory actions by certain disgruntled groups.

Saimon Overseas Limited, a company with more than 44 years of experience and a strong reputation for providing international-standard corporate travel services, was accused of laundering money through overseas air ticket sales. However, the allegations failed to include any verifiable or essential information such as passenger names, passport numbers, PNRs, ticket numbers, or credible financial transaction records.

Following a show-cause notice issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Saimon Overseas Limited submitted a comprehensive response, supported by bank statements, IATA BSP reports, ticket copies, and all relevant documentation. After careful review and verification, the authorities found no evidence to substantiate the allegations.

Officials from the ministry confirmed that, after examining all aspects of the case, the accusations were formally declared false and Saimon Overseas Limited was granted full clearance (Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism letter no. 30.00.0000.000.025.27.0006.25-877, dated December 14, 2025).

Trade experts noted that recent measures to curb ticket syndication, anonymous group bookings, and artificially created seat shortages have adversely affected certain unethical operators. As a result, some of them have reportedly resorted to spreading misinformation and defamatory narratives to undermine reform-driven individuals and organizations.

In a press statement, Saimon Overseas Limited said, “These false and defamatory allegations were intended to damage our long-standing reputation. We have already initiated legal proceedings against those responsible for spreading such misinformation.”

Industry insiders believe that such propaganda is not uncommon ahead of upcoming ATAB elections and amid ongoing efforts to introduce transparency and reform in the travel trade sector. They have urged all stakeholders to remain vigilant against misleading campaigns and to continue supporting genuine reform initiatives for a fair, stable, and ethical travel industry.