Human trafficking in the digital age: Emerging challenges and the way forward

Ali Akbar Khan, Additional Inspector General (in charge), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bangladesh Police;

Rebeka Khan, Joint Secretary (Political-1 Wing), Ministry of Home Affairs;

Tanvir Hassan Zoha, Prosecutor and Special Investigation Officer, International Crimes Tribunal;

Dr BM Moinul Hossain, Professor and Director, Institute of Information Technology, University of Dhaka;

Salma Ali, Chairperson, Action Against Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Women (ATSEC) South Asia, and Adviser, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association;

Nurul Quader, Programme Manager (Migration), Human Resources Development Sector, Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh;

Dipta Rakshit, Project Director, Ashshash, and Country Representative, Winrock International Bangladesh;

Tasneem Binte Karim, National Programme Coordinator, UNODC, South Asia;

Shakirul Islam, Chairperson, Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Programme (OKUP);

Mahmudul Hasan, Legal Officer, Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU);

Md Al Amin Noyon, President, Anirban Survivors’ Voice;

Monnan Chhoyal, Bangladeshi returnee from a scam centre in Cambodia;

Naznin Akter, Bangladeshi returnee from Malaysia;

Key note speaker:

Shariful Islam Hasan, Associate Director, Migration Programme and Youth Platform, BRAC

Moderator: Firoz Choudhury, Assistant Editor, Daily Prothom Alo.

Additional Inspector General (in charge), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Bangladesh Police

One of the biggest challenges in investigating human trafficking is collecting information and evidence across borders and tracing technology-enabled financial transactions. Investigating cryptocurrency, hundi and online transactions requiresadvance technology, specialised training and international cooperation. At the same time, it is essential to enhance investigators’ technological skills and establish effective mechanisms for international information sharing. Cooperation from various international organisations is playing an important role in strengthening capacity in this region.

Cyber scam centres in Cambodia, the risky route to Italy through Libya and luring people through social media are all part of transnational criminal networks. Many people travel on tourist visas and subsequently fall victim to scams, while some victims are later drawn into trafficking others. As the driving forces behind these crimes are often based outside the country, the problem cannot be solved through measures taken within Bangladesh alone.

Many people were subjected abuse abroad reach settlements after returning home or are unwilling to testify. This undermines the pursuit of justice. Therefore, diplomatic missions, law enforcement agencies, international organisations and all relevant ministries must work together through  coordinated efforts, alongside investigative agencies.

I believe technology-enabled human trafficking can be brought under control to a significant extent by strengthening regular migration, conducting effective campaigns against irregular migration, increasing technology-based surveillance, enhancing international information exchange and taking coordinated initiatives to counter traffickers’ misinformation and propaganda on social media. Long-term planning, regular assessment and monitoring, and trust-based cooperation among the relevant agencies will be essential to achieving effective results.

Joint Secretary (Political-1 Wing), Ministry of Home Affairs

The dynamics of human trafficking is changing rapidly, while the use of technology has made this crime more complex. Coordinated efforts by the government, international organisations and all relevant stakeholders are therefore essential. The new law enacted in 2026 has included migrant smuggling and scams through fake online job advertisements alongside human trafficking. The biggest challenges now are effective implementation of the law and preventing fraud in regular migration processes.

Many Bangladeshis who migrate abroad for work face risks of fraud, abuse, exploitation and often forced into criminal activities. To address this situation, the government is working to implement a national referral mechanism and formulate the National Plan of Action (NPA) 2026–30 so that victims can receive coordinated protection, legal assistance and necessary services. At the same time, information sharing among agencies involved in migration, telecommunications and expatriate welfare is being strengthened. The use of modern technologies, including Passenger Name Record and the Advance Passenger Information System at airports, is being expanded to detect fraudulent travel documents, strengthen investigative capacity, improve inter-agency coordination and ensure rapid information exchange. Bilateral and regional cooperation to combat cyber scam centres in Cambodia and other countries has also been strengthened.

Legal action is being taken swiftly against people involved in human trafficking, including government officials. Sharing experiences, exchanging information, mutual cooperation, capacity building and coordinated initiatives will further strengthen our ability to combat technology-enabled crime. This will help achieve effective and sustainable progress in preventing technology-enabled human trafficking.

Prosecutor and Special Investigation Officer, International Crimes Tribunal

Field-level experience shows that in many cases, people are lured  abroad, subjected to abuse and then held for ransom. However, victims can be brought back and traffickers arrested if swift and coordinated action is taken. Therefore, frontline police must be given greater authority, necessary support and the ability to make quick decisions in combating human trafficking.

Such crimes cannot be addressed by central agencies alone. Police at the station level, sub-inspectors and constables collect much of the information at the local level. Their skills, technological capacity and investigative expertise must be strengthened. Modern surveillance systems, data analysis and a national human trafficking intelligence platform are needed to combat technology-enabled crime.

My experience in international training shows that coordinated policies, rapid information sharing and effective investigation are more important than technology alone. The law enforcement agencies abroad have the capacity to take immediate action based on complaints received.

In Bangladesh too, law enforcement agencies must be given greater scope to make quick decisions, take effective action and use modern technology. At the same time, the necessary infrastructure and skilled personnel must be ensured for technology-based investigations.

I believe we must move away from the practice of repeatedly using the police for political interests and ensure an environment where they can work professionally.  It will not be possible to effectively combat human trafficking, cyber fraud and other forms of organized crime without addressing the practical challenges at the field level, making effective use of advanced technology, ensuring adequate manpower and providing necessary authority to law enforcement agencies.

Professor and Director, Institute of Information Technology, University of Dhaka

The involvement of middlemen in human trafficking continues and the use of technology has increased at an alarming rate. Traffickers are operating in increasingly organised ways through fake job advertisements, AI-generated videos, cryptocurrency, technologies that conceal identities and covert messaging apps. Even mainstream media outlets are sometimes misled when trying to identify AI-generated videos. As a result, it has become even more difficult for ordinary people to identify scams. The misuse of technology has made human trafficking a more complex form of transnational crime. Traditional awareness-raising activities alone cannot address this crisis. Targeted campaigns must be conducted in areas from which people are more vulnerable to trafficking. At the same time, social media data analysis, the use of open-source information and technology-based surveillance must be strengthened.

Law enforcement agencies must develop modern technology-based skills beyond conventional investigation methods. Otherwise, it will not be possible to effectively confront technologically sophisticated  criminal networks. International digital platforms, including Meta, must be brought under greater accountability. This cannot be achieved through administrative decisions alone; it requires sustained diplomatic initiatives and international cooperation. At the same time, existing state information and surveillance systems must be used more effectively. Timely action can lead to significant progress in preventing technology-enabled human trafficking.

Chairperson, Action Against Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Women (ATSEC) South Asia, and Adviser, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association

There has been considerable progress in legislation, policy, victim protection and the justice process. Provisions for victim protection and several aspects of investigation and prosecution have improved. CID and other agencies have also received training to combat unsafe migration and human trafficking. Yet unsafe migration and human trafficking continue. Cross-border cooperation, skilled investigation and speedy justice remain major challenges in cases of technology-enabled trafficking. Trials in many cases take a long time, while many victims ultimately do not want to pursue cases because of concerns about privacy. As a result, organised criminals often escape justice.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has taken many initiatives, but human trafficking in the name of migration continues through land ports, airports and sea routes.

From my field experience, I have seen that suspicious passengers can be identified through just a few minutes of observation at an airport. Recently, a young woman travelling to Nepal was identified as suspicious, and efforts were made to rescue and bring her back to Bangladesh. This shows that many trafficking incidents can be prevented if there is commitment and effective surveillance. However, gaps in coordination and accountability among border points, airports and relevant agencies remain.

In my view, the most urgent priorities are effective coordination among ministries, an uncompromising stance and accountability. At the same time, investigators, government prosecutors and judges must be -trained; police must receive regular training and supervision; and organised traffickers must be brought to justice swiftly. Only then will visible change be possible and victims be protected from repeated abuse.

Programme Manager (Migration), Human Resources Development Sector, Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh

Human trafficking, particularly the rapidly expanding trafficking linked to scam centres and technology-enabled exploitation linked to scam centres, is a serious violation of human rights. Addressing such crimes requires a comprehensive, victim-centred approach combining prevention, protection, prosecution and strong partnerships. It is essential to address the root causes of vulnerability, expand safe and regular migration pathways, strengthen cross-border cooperation and enhance digital investigation capacity. At the same time, alongside ensuring justice for survivors, effective support must be provided for their sustainable rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

The European Union welcomes Bangladesh’s recent progress in legislation and policy. It also reaffirms its commitment to supporting the effective implementation of these initiatives through programmes on safe migration, rehabilitation, prevention of human trafficking and migrant smuggling, migration management, skills development and integrated border management.

We believe that the government, international partners, law enforcement agencies, the justice system, civil society and all relevant stakeholders must work together to address complex and transnational crimes such as human trafficking. Alongside strengthening preventive measures, the rights, protection, justice and dignity of survivorsmust be given the highest priority. Mutual trust, information sharing, effective coordination and long-term cooperation will be the most important foundations for achieving this goal.

Project Director, Ashshash and Country RepresentativeWinrock International Bangladesh

No one knowingly consents to become a victim of human trafficking. People take risks in the hope of getting better jobs, a safer life and opportunities to improve their circumstances not to become victims of trafficking. After working on this issue for 20 years, I feel I have failed. Although the Bangladesh government has enacted laws and formulated national plans and policies to prevent human trafficking, there are still major gaps in implementation. Information from people returning from Cambodia shows that 80 percent of them went abroad through regular migration processes. We must therefore find the answer to how such fraud is taking place.

Human trafficking has now become a technology-enabled crime. The crisis therefore cannot be addressed by raising awareness through traditional methods alone.

Counter-campaigns must be conducted on the same social media platforms where people are being lured by false promises. Courtyard meetings, programmes in schools and colleges or drawing competitions are no longer enough. At the same time, effective monitoring and accountability must be ensured for financial transaction channels, including bKash, Nagad, hundi and cryptocurrency. The flow of money generated through human trafficking must also be brought under strict monitoring.

There is no alternative to coordinated action to prevent human trafficking. People must be made aware through real-lifeexamples, safe migration opportunities must be expanded for vulnerable groups, and social media platforms must also be held accountable. Effective coordination among all relevant organisations must be ensured. Only then can meaningful progress be made in combating technology-enabled human trafficking.

Associate Director, Migration Programme and Youth Platform, BRAC

Irregular migration is damaging Bangladesh’s image. Bangladeshis are now among the largest groups attempting to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean from Libya. Many suffer severe abuse in Libya, while many others lose their lives at sea. At the same time, many Bangladeshis and Rohingya are attempting to reach Malaysia by crossing the Bay of Bengal. Reports say nearly 500 Rohingya have died over the past week. Many people in Malaysia are also being lured into scams with promises of migration opportunities  to Australia.

Social media has now become a major tool for traffickers. The operations and tactics of human trafficking are becoming increasingly complex and technology-driven. Our research shows that 82 percent of young people in Bangladesh would like to leave the country if given the opportunity. In their desperation to go abroad, many faces various risks. Many falls victim to cyber scams. In June alone, 583 people returned to Bangladesh from Cambodia after falling victim to cyber scams, while the number has reached 1,800 so far in 2026. Of them, 98 percent did not receive the jobs they had been promised, 88 percent were held captive, 87 percent had forged documents, 66 percent had travelled through brokers, 38 percent suffered severe psychological trauma and 27 percent were physically abused.

The government has enacted new laws and formulated a national plan of action to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling. But proper implementation of the law remains the biggest challenge. It is essential to raise awareness, strengthen legal protection against cyber scams, bring criminal networks to justice, create employment opportunities at home, facilitate regular migration and enhance regional cooperation to prevent trafficking. Bangladesh cannot address such transnational crimes alone.

National Programme Coordinator, UNODC, South Asia

Human trafficking linked to scam centres is a relatively new crisis for Bangladesh. Although these issue has been addressed in South-East Asian countries for sometime now, however the past one to two years, people from Bangladesh and other South Asian countries are increasingly falling victim to it. There is a lack of reliable national data, research and evidence-based analysis on the issue. Evidence-based information is essential for effective policymaking, prevention and accurate assessment of the situation—including how many Bangladeshis are being trafficked through fraudulent recruitment, how many are returning home, how many are receiving rehabilitation and justice, and how prepared the relevant agencies are to combat the crime.

In my experience, compared to many other South Asian countries, Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies have relatively strong technological capacity. The capabilities of specialised agencies, particularly CID, must be used more effectively. However, conventional investigation methods alone are not sufficient to combat technology-enabled human trafficking. Alongside developing modern technology-based investigative capacity in areas such as cryptocurrency, social media and open-source intelligence, regular training for law enforcement agencies must be ensured.

The new law is an important step forward. Its effective implementation is now the biggest challenge. Building the capacity of judges, government prosecutors and investigators, strengthening regional and bilateral cooperation, and expanding awareness both at the field level and through social media are essential. At the same time, the government, development partners and civil society must work together to provide information on regular migration pathways and warn people about technology-enabled scams.

Chairperson, Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Programme (OKUP)

Although the discussion began with technology, I would primarily like to highlight the lack of coordination within the state. When it is said at the highest level of the state that many migrants knowingly take risky routes, that reflects the government’s perspective. Yet we keep talking about making migrants aware while failing to take effective action against local brokers and those involved in trafficking networks. This is the state’s biggest failure. At a recent exchange meeting in Madaripur, the district administration also said that it knew the traffickers but did not have the authority to take action against them. Bringing them under the law would have sent a strong message to society.

In 2019, we provided support in case filed by a woman who had returned from a middle eastern country after experiencing abuse. A lengthy investigation found elements of human trafficking, but in 2025, a judge at the special tribunal proposed an out-of-court settlement. The survivor clearly said she wanted justice and dignity, not money. Yet the case was ultimately settled for slightly more than Tk 400,000. Such an outcome is deeply disappointing in a serious crime like human trafficking.

I believe the root problems are the lack of political will and effective coordination. Workers are going abroad after obtaining clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), so the state must also take responsibility for that process. It is not enough to talk about coordination at meetings and seminars; coordinated action by all state institutions must be ensured in practice.

Legal Officer, Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU)

A new law has been enacted to prevent human trafficking, incorporating issues related to migration and the illegal trafficking of people. But I believe the justice system is still not receiving adequate attention. It can take two to three years for human trafficking related lawsuits to move from investigation to trial. During this time, many survivors are unable to continue pursuing their cases. After spending lakhs of taka to go abroad and becoming financially devastated, they often cannot afford to pursue a lawsuit for years. Many also lose a day’s income when they have to attend court.

Human trafficking tribunals were established to ensure speedy justice, but there are still major weaknesses in case investigations. There is no dedicated or specialised investigative agency for the tribunals. As a result, investigation reports are not submitted on time, and in many cases, investigations are not conducted properly. This means that the key facts of the cases do not come to light and allows the criminals to escape justice.

The most important question for me is whether we are able to ensure justice. If justice is ensured, it will create fear among criminals. Another major concern is that there has been no judge at the Dhaka Human Trafficking Tribunal for five months. The absence of a judge at such a sensitive tribunal is depriving justice seekers of timely justice.

President, Anirban Survivors’ Voice

After working on human trafficking for many years, I have come to believe that diplomatic failure is also a factor behind the problem. There is a lack of coordination between ministries. Over the past one and a half years, 56,000 Bangladeshis have gone to 28 countries through BMET where Bangladesh has no embassy or consulate. We do not even know how they are doing or whether they are safe.

During the same period, 16,000 workers went to Cambodia. While working with them, we found that many were taken there with employment visas but were later given tourist visas and sold into scam networks. Yet they had travelled following government procedures.

BMET is also responsible for monitoring whether workers reach their workplaces and whether their salaries and accommodation are in order. If the state wants, it can identify how many people travelled on tourist visas and did not return and bring those responsible to account. This would reduce the risk of human trafficking.

At the same time, people returning from scam centres must be treated not as criminals but as survivors. Regular monitoring, rehabilitation and mental health services must be ensured so that they do not end up becoming involved in criminal networks again.

Bangladeshi returnee from a scam centre in Cambodia

I went to Saudi Arabia in 2022. After staying there for three years, I returned home and decided to go abroad again. A relative from my area sent me to Cambodia for Tk 500,000, saying that I would get a job at a restaurant. After completing training, I went to Cambodia on 5 December 2025. A few days later, I was taken to a Chinese company. When I arrived, I saw thousands of people working on computers.

I was instructed to use the name “Maria” and build relationships with people on Instagram to scam them and collect money. I told them I had not been informed about such work. But they had my passport. I was told that if I did not want to work, I would have to paythe money to get back my passport, which was impossible. I was later forced to work.

When I failed to meet the assigned targets, I was beaten and locked in a small room. I was eventually rescued during a police raid. As I did not have my passport, returning home became difficult. With BRAC’s assistance, I was provided with a travel pass and a ticket and returned to Bangladesh.

Later, the accused party filed a counter-case against me in retaliation for the human trafficking case. Now I am an accused myself, and I do not have the money to fight the legal battle. .

Bangladeshi returnee from Malaysia

I was struggling to support my two children because of financial difficulties. I had divorced my husband five years ago. To get out of debt, I decided to go to Malaysia for work. Through an acquaintance, I was offered a restaurant job with a monthly salary of around Tk 60,000. However, I had to pay more than Tk 250,000 to go there. I sold jewelry and borrowed money to arrange the amount. I told them I would pay the remaining Tk 5,000 after joining the job, and they agreed.

On 15 November 2025, I was taken to Malaysia on a visit visa. I had also been taught in advance what to say at immigration. After arriving, my passport, ticket and documents were taken away. I was told that I would not be given any job unless I paid the remaining money.

I was also pressured to collect money from my family. Later, I was kept at a hotel and then taken to a locked room, where I was held for six consecutive days. I was assaulted simply for asking where I was. Finally, with the efforts of my brothers, I was able to return to Bangladesh on 21 November.

1. Develop specialised institutional capacity to ensure swift investigation and trial of human trafficking cases.

2. Strengthen the capacity and training of law enforcement agencies to detect technology-enabled crimes.

3. Enhance coordination among BMET, law enforcement agencies, diplomatic missions and relevant ministries.

4. Strengthen information sharing and international cooperation to combat transnational human trafficking.

5. Ensure strict and effective monitoring of cryptocurrency, hundi and online financial transactions.