Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus said on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, that many countries are refusing to accept Bangladeshi passports because of widespread forgery. Speaking at the inauguration of the Digital Device and Innovation Expo 2026 and the launch of the Bangladesh Innovation Challenge website and logo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in Dhaka, he described Bangladesh as a “factory of fraud.” He said fake visas, passports, and certificates have damaged the country’s reputation abroad.

Yunus shared an account of a discussion with a Middle Eastern minister who explained that his country and several others have barred entry to Bangladeshis after discovering forged educational and professional certificates. He cited an example of a woman who presented a fake medical certificate to work abroad. Yunus urged that technology should not be used for deceit and called for moral reform and honesty in innovation.

He emphasized that Bangladesh must correct its foundations, eliminate fraudulent practices, and empower youth to become ethical entrepreneurs so that the nation can stand proudly on the global stage.