38 more Bangladeshis return from Cambodia after rescue from scam compounds

Thirty-eight Bangladeshis rescued from scam compounds in Cambodia, along with others who had been lured there with promises of jobs, returned home today (3 September).

They arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 12:10pm on a Thai Airways flight, according to a press release.

BRAC’s Migration Programme, with support from the Civil Aviation Security and Expatriates’ Welfare Desk at the airport, provided the returnees with emergency assistance, counselling and financial support to help them reach their respective homes.

The returnees had been rescued from various scam compounds in Cambodia, where they were allegedly forced to participate in cyber scam operations.

The latest repatriation follows Cambodia’s decision to allow foreigners overstaying in the country to voluntarily return home without paying fines from 1 September.

Around 1,800 more Bangladeshis are reportedly waiting to return from Cambodia.

The returnees called for measures to ensure their safety, provide necessary legal assistance, investigate their allegations and take legal action against those responsible.

Shariful Hasan, associate director of BRAC’s Migration Programme and Youth Platform, said the returnees had been held in various scam compounds in Cambodia and forced to participate in cyber scam operations.

“Some Bangladeshis involved in human trafficking in Cambodia threatened and pressured them in various ways while they were trying to return home and made several attempts to prevent them from leaving Cambodia,” he said.

“Cyber scams are now one of the most dangerous forms of human trafficking. Bangladeshis are taken abroad with promises of high-paying jobs in developed countries and then forced to engage in online fraud,” Shariful said.

Those who failed to meet assigned targets were subjected to physical and mental abuse, he said.

“It is crucial to identify brokers, recruiting agencies and international trafficking networks involved in these incidents and bring them to justice through proper investigations,” he added.

Thousands at risk

According to data from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), 15,921 Bangladeshis travelled to Cambodia for employment over the past one and a half years.

However, returnees said thousands of Bangladeshis are still living in inhumane conditions in Cambodia after failing to secure jobs or falling victim to fraud. Many were sent there with promises of high-paying employment.

In June, 583 Bangladeshis returned home from Cambodia, many of whom had BMET clearance, according to the statement.

BRAC said scammers use fake websites, emails, Facebook, WhatsApp and Telegram to advertise attractive positions such as computer operators, call centre executives and customer service representatives.

Jobseekers are subsequently taken to scam compounds, where they are allegedly held at gunpoint and forced to conduct online fraud.

BRAC has urged Bangladeshis to avoid travelling to Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam for employment without thoroughly verifying job offers and ensuring their authenticity.

Bangladeshis rescued from Myanmar

Bangladeshis have also been rescued from cyber scam compounds in Myanmar.

Eight Bangladeshis returned home on 22 January this year after being rescued from a cyber scam centre in Myanmar, while another 18 returned on 19 September 2025. They had reportedly been lured with promises of lucrative jobs and taken to Myanmar through the Thailand border.

The returnees said their passports and mobile phones were confiscated after reaching Myanmar and they were allegedly forced to participate in cyber fraud.