Rare Al Samir, founder and chief executive of Dhaka-based edtech startup Interactive Cares, was detained at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while attempting to leave the country, according to law enforcement officials.

Immigration police, along with officers from Adabor Thana, confirmed that Samir was held at the airport. The detention follows a series of allegations raised by investors and employees, centering on claims of financial misconduct and unpaid dues.

Several investors say they have not received returns on their investments and allege that Samir had become increasingly difficult to contact in recent months. They claim that promised profits were not delivered, and communication from the company had slowed or stopped altogether.

Concerns have also surfaced from within the company. Current and former employees of Interactive Cares described months of unpaid salaries, with some now considering legal action. These accounts suggest growing internal strain at a company that, until recently, had positioned itself as part of Bangladesh’s expanding online education sector.

Samir has denied the allegations. Speaking in response to the claims, he said there was no truth to accusations of embezzlement or money laundering. “The allegations are not true. There is no issue of money laundering, and it never happened,” he said, adding that outstanding payments would be settled within one to two months.

Interactive Cares was founded in 2020 by Samir and Jamila Bupasha Khushbu, during a period when demand for online learning surged amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The platform focused on career-oriented courses, combining recorded lessons with live sessions and mentorship, aimed at improving employability.

The company later secured early-stage backing from both local and international investors. In 2023, it raised $100,000 through the Accelerating Asia accelerator programme, marking a step forward in its expansion efforts.

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The situation now raises questions about the company’s financial management and its obligations to stakeholders. For now, authorities have confirmed only the detention, with further details expected as the matter develops.