The government must act decisively to confiscate local assets of money launderers through legal channels. Taking no action against offenders emboldens future laundering activities. While the amount laundered may not always be significant, imposing exemplary punishment on even a few offenders through legal proceedings can deter others from attempting similar crimes. It is essential to create a fear of consequences, signalling that the tacit approval such crimes might have received in the past will no longer be tolerated. 

To set a precedent, a few perpetrators should be brought under the law and penalised. Confiscating and auctioning their local assets based on credible evidence would set a strong example. This approach is relatively more feasible for the government to implement. Using domestic laws, authorities can take firm action against money launderers operating within the country. 

Simultaneously, to retrieve laundered funds from abroad, the interim government must work on two fronts: identifying the paths, methods, and individuals involved in the transfers and tracking the associated parties. 

Money launderers rarely follow straightforward methods, as these would increase the likelihood of being caught. Instead, they establish shell companies across various countries, transferring funds through multiple jurisdictions until the money is laundered and becomes "white." 

Tracing the entire process is crucial to building evidence. Legal agreements with the countries involved should then be utilised, filing cases and presenting conclusive evidence in their courts to recover the stolen funds. However, achieving success in this is rare and challenging. 

To maximise recovery efforts, collaboration with skilled professionals is essential. Effective tracking, gathering concrete information on laundering, and pursuing legal measures are indispensable for recovering laundered money. 

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The writer is a former lead economist, World Bank, Dhaka Office.