A report published on July 30, 2026, World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, says Bangladeshis are being trafficked through dangerous Mediterranean crossings, cyber-scam compounds in Cambodia and Myanmar, and Russia-linked job fraud. Young people are reportedly lured through WhatsApp, Telegram and Facebook with promises of overseas work, only to face exploitation, abuse or alleged deployment to war zones.

Frontex data cited in the report says Bangladeshis are the largest group attempting to enter Europe from Libya via the Central Mediterranean route, with about 110,000 entering Europe between 2009 and June 2026. At least 18 Bangladeshis died while travelling from Libya to Greece in March. BRAC research found that 75 percent of those seeking Italy or Greece did not get jobs, while 93 percent were confined in camps and 79 percent faced physical abuse.

The Home Ministry reported 5,284 pending trafficking cases, including older cases, by May 2026, while only 17 cases were resolved from January to May. The government has enacted a 2026 law covering trafficking and migrant smuggling. Migration expert Shariful Hasan called for enforcement, public awareness, asset seizure and special tribunals in trafficking-prone districts.