Khulna couple held over human trafficking to Cambodia

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has arrested a couple from Khulna on allegations of trafficking people to Cambodia by luring them with promises of high-paying jobs and forcing them into online scam operations.

The arrestees are Md Jihad Ali Laskar and his wife, Sumaiya Sumi, residents of the Daulatpur area.
According to the PBI, Jihad allegedly promised victims jobs in Cambodia with monthly salaries of around Tk 100,000 and collected Tk 620,000 from each person to arrange their travel.

After arriving in Cambodia, however, the victims were allegedly denied the promised jobs and forced to engage in fraudulent online activities.

The victims later managed to escape and returned to Bangladesh. Following their complaints, two cases were filed with Daulatpur Police Station on July 23 under Sections 7 and 22 of the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Prevention and Suppression Act, 2026.

After taking over the investigation, the PBI conducted a raid in Hemayetpur, Savar, late Monday night and arrested the couple.

Investigators said the accused admitted their involvement during primary interrogation and in confessional statements recorded under Section 164 before a court.

The investigation has also uncovered information suggesting that several other people were sent to Cambodia using the same method.

PBI Khulna Superintendent of Police Reshma Sharmin said the agency would continue its crackdown on human trafficking networks and bring all those involved to justice.