Kamrul Hasan : The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has issued a strong warning against unregistered and expired travel agencies amid renewed allegations of human trafficking networks operating in the country. At the same time, the government has urged migrant workers, tourists, and general travelers to verify the legitimacy of travel agencies before making any financial transactions.

The issue resurfaced following a report published in the Bangla online edition of The Daily Star titled “Human Trafficking to Russia: UK Sanctions Bangladeshi Travel Agency.” The report alleged that a Bangladeshi travel agency involved in human trafficking had come under UK sanctions.
In response, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism issued an emergency statement clarifying that the accused agency was “Dream Home Travels,” not “Dream Home Travels and Tours Limited.” The ministry said the clarification was necessary to avoid public confusion.
According to ministry sources, the government had previously taken notice of another report published on January 28, 2025, in Kaler Kantho titled “Eight Bangladeshis in Russia War.” An investigation later found that the travel agency certificate (Certificate No. 0012021) of “Dream Home Travels,” owned by M Abul Hasan, had expired on April 3, 2021.
This means the agency had allegedly been operating for a long period without valid renewal. The matter has raised concerns not only about administrative weaknesses but also about possible links between local dishonest networks and international human trafficking syndicates.
Experts say that as overseas employment opportunities continue to attract large numbers of Bangladeshis, the number of fraudulent brokers and unauthorized travel agencies has also increased. In particular, allegations are frequently reported of people being lured to the Middle East, Europe, and Eastern European countries with promises of lucrative jobs, only to end up in dangerous and exploitative situations.
International media reports have also highlighted incidents where individuals were sent abroad under the guise of visit visas, tour packages, or educational trips and later forced into illegal activities, exploitative labor, or even conflict zones.
Under the Bangladesh Travel Agency Registration and Control Act, 2013, valid registration is mandatory for operating travel agencies in the country. All registration and renewal procedures must be completed online through the Travel Agency Management System.
However, in reality, many agencies continue their operations even after their licenses have expired. Some agencies are also reportedly collecting customers through social media and online advertisements without any valid registration.
The ministry has clearly stated that operating a travel agency without valid registration or after the expiration of a license is completely illegal.
According to the government, several agencies have recently been accused of fraud, overcharging customers, issuing fake visas, and putting travelers at risk abroad.
In this situation, the ministry has advised passengers and travelers to verify the registration and license status of any travel agency before purchasing airline tickets, overseas travel packages, or any other travel-related services.
Analysts believe that alongside administrative action, increasing public awareness is equally important. Many people are falling victim to fraudsters due to promises of high-paying jobs abroad or quick visa processing.
They stressed that no financial transaction should be made with any agency without verifying its legal documents, government approval, and online registration status. At the same time, coordinated efforts among the…