False job promises luring Bangladeshis into overseas cyber scam centres: Home Minister

Bangladeshis are being lured abroad with promises of lucrative jobs and a better future, only to find themselves imprisoned in cyber scam centres where they face torture, intimidation and are forced to carry out online fraud, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed warned on Thursday.

The current government is working with the highest priority to protect the country's citizens from human trafficking and technology-enabled crimes, adopting a zero-tolerance stance on these, he added, 

Speaking at a high-level dialogue titled "Trapped Behind the Scam: Ending Human Trafficking for Forced Criminality", organised to mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2026, he said the nature of human trafficking was evolving and becoming increasingly complex. 

He said criminal networks were now targeting young people and job seekers not only through conventional means but also by using digital platforms, fake online recruitment portals and various social media platforms. 

Victims were lured abroad with false promises of attractive employment opportunities and a better future, only to be confined in cyber scam centres where they are subjected to severe abuse, intimidation and forced to engage in criminal activities.

The minister further highlighted that human trafficking networks are now using various digital technologies to facilitate their crimes. 

He said that tackling this threat requires more than traditional law enforcement measures; it demands a coordinated and robust response involving technology companies, financial institutions, the private sector and an informed society.

Highlighting the current government's initiatives to combat human trafficking, the minister said the government has achieved a historic milestone by aligning crime prevention efforts with international standards. 

It has enacted the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling (Prevention and Suppression) Act, 2026. 

He said the new law, formulated in line with the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its relevant protocols, brings modern offences such as online scams, technology-based deception and coercion into criminal activities under strict punishment. 

At the same time, work is underway to update the Human Trafficking Prevention and Suppression Rules, 2017 to ensure effective implementation. In addition, the Ministry of Home Affairs is finalising the National Action Plan (2026–2030) through consultations with all stakeholders, which will further strengthen the four key pillars of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.

Speaking on the dignity and rehabilitation of victims, Salahuddin Ahmed said ensuring the protection of every victim of human trafficking was both a moral and legal responsibility of the government. 

To this end, the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) was being strengthened to ensure the rapid rescue of victims and provide immediate legal, physical, psychological and rehabilitation support. 

A state-of-the-art Digital Anti-Trafficking Information Management Platform was also being developed to support evidence-based policymaking and ensure accurate case tracking. 

The national dialogue was chaired by Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs Manjur Morshed Chowdhury.

The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Counter-Trafficking Technical Working Group of the UN Migration Network. 

It was held at the Grand Ballroom of the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital.