CID Arrests Two Over Alleged Human Trafficking Bangladesh and Forced Online Scams in Cambodia
DHAKA, Oct. 27 — Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has arrested two men accused of trafficking two Bangladeshi youths to Cambodia, where they were allegedly forced to engage in online scams after their passports were confiscated.
The suspects, identified as Md. Shawon Molla, 23, and Md. Sakib Sarker, 26, were arrested during an operation in Dhaka’s Paltan area on Tuesday, according to the CID. Both are from Pubail in Gazipur district.
Preliminary findings indicate that the two victims each paid around Tk 600,000 to secure jobs in Cambodia. However, after arriving in the Southeast Asian country, their passports were seized and they were allegedly sold to a scam center for $5,000 each.
According to the CID, the victims were compelled to participate in online fraud schemes. They faced physical and psychological abuse if they refused to carry out the work or made mistakes. They were also prevented from leaving the facility or returning home voluntarily.
Families Paid Ransom to Secure Their Release
The CID said the victims eventually managed to contact their families, who were asked to pay an additional $5,000 to secure their release from captivity.
Their families paid the demanded ransom in the hope of bringing them home safely. However, the alleged traffickers continued to control the victims after their release and demanded further money to cover their air tickets to Bangladesh, the CID said.
The two men subsequently stayed at a local hotel in Cambodia for nearly two months. With assistance from BRAC’s Migration Programme, they returned to Bangladesh on Sept. 3.
After returning home, the victims filed a case with Paltan Police Station on Oct. 26, naming Shawon Molla and Sakib Sarker as accused. The CID said the investigation is ongoing.
Cambodia Emerges as a Destination for Bangladeshi Jobseekers
Official data from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) show that 12,263 Bangladeshi workers obtained clearance to travel to Cambodia for employment in 2025, making it the country’s eighth-largest overseas employment destination for Bangladeshi workers that year.
Russia ranked 13th, with 4,727 workers receiving clearance during the same period.
Employment opportunities in Cambodia have drawn Bangladeshi jobseekers but reports of fraudulent recruitment and forced involvement in online scams have raised concerns about worker safety.
In some cases, recruiters reportedly promise jobs at call centers before sending workers to scam compounds, where they are forced to participate in fraudulent online activities.
Cambodian authorities have recently intensified operations against scam centers amid growing international pressure. In June, 646 Bangladeshi workers returned home following enforcement operations, while others continued to seek assistance to leave the country.
Labour-sector stakeholders have questioned the continued recruitment of Bangladeshi workers for Cambodia, citing limited employment opportunities and the risks associated with fraudulent job offers.
The latest case highlights the importance of verifying overseas job offers and recruitment agencies before paying fees or travelling abroad.
