Sylhet: Sylhet is widely known as a migration-oriented region, with thousands of people seeking better lives and financial opportunities in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and various European countries every year. Taking advantage of this aspiration, fraudulent recruiting agencies and middlemen have become increasingly active, allegedly taking large sums of money in the name of sending people abroad, providing fake visas and documents, or disappearing with their clients’ money.
Many others are also risking their lives by attempting to reach Europe through irregular and dangerous routes.
Most recently, RAB-9 arrested a man named Kayes Ahmed, 40, in Golapganj, Sylhet, on allegations of embezzling Tk 6 million by promising UK healthcare visas. He was arrested on Sunday (August 16) night. According to RAB, documents provided to the victims in the name of visas were found to be fake. The victims also alleged that they were threatened when they demanded their money back.
Earlier, a case was filed against Badruzzaman Tanvir over allegations that he took Tk 14,743,308 from clients by promising UK Skilled Worker visas. Although Tk 4.52 million was reportedly refunded, the complainant claims that Tk 10,223,308 is still outstanding. An investigation by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has reportedly found preliminary evidence supporting allegations against several accused individuals.
On May 29, allegations emerged against Amex Associates in Sylhet of embezzling at least Tk 70 million from around 700 young people on the promise of sending them to Europe. Victims alleged that the firm collected between Tk 100,000 and Tk 500,000 from each person and later provided fake visas. Following the allegations, the company’s office was shut down and its owners went into hiding. Police later detained two people in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, attempts to reach Europe through irregular routes have also claimed lives. On August 3, a boat carrying 42 people, including 38 Bangladeshis, reportedly departed from the coast of Tobruk, Libya, for Greece. At least 11 Bangladeshis died and seven others went missing in the incident. Seven young men from Shantiganj Upazila in Sunamganj are among those reported missing.
Chowdhury Mushfiq Munim, a resident of Sylhet city, also allegedly fell victim to fraud by an organization called Travel Zone. He reportedly paid Tk 7.8 million to arrange overseas travel for four acquaintances. After the visa documents were found to be fake, he demanded his money back. Following the filing of a case, police detained the proprietor of the organization.
Abdul Jabbar Jalil, former chairman of the Sylhet zone of the Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB), said the region has around 200 licensed agencies, while the number of illegal agencies is estimated to be at least 1,000.
He advised prospective migrants to verify an agency’s legal status, visa and employment documents before travelling abroad and to keep proper records of all financial transactions.
Md. Manzurul Alam, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Media) of Sylhet Metropolitan Police, said allegations of fraud involving promises to send people abroad are being investigated seriously.
“Legal action is being taken whenever the allegations are found to be true,” he said, advising prospective migrants not to hand over money to any individual or organization without properly verifying their credentials and documents.
