Trapped in a nightmare: Bangladeshi Migrants’ hellish journey from Dubai to the scam centres of Myanmar

In the heart of Dubai, where towering skyscrapers symbolise dreams of prosperity, a darker reality unfolds. For many Bangladeshi migrants, the city represents a promise—a chance to work hard and support their families back home. But for some, this dream has turned into a nightmare. 

A ruthless trafficking network has been preying on their desperation, luring them with false promises of high-paying jobs in Thailand. Instead of finding opportunity, these workers have been kidnapped at gunpoint and trafficked into scam centres in Myanmar—places of unimaginable abuse and suffering.

The trap: From Dubai to Thailand

It all starts with a lie.

Traffickers operating in Dubai target Bangladeshi migrants who are already struggling to make ends meet. They approach them with tempting offers—jobs in Thailand with salaries far higher than what they currently earn. Many are promised work in IT, customer service, or online businesses. These offers seem legitimate, and in their desperation to improve their lives, the migrants agree.

The traffickers arrange everything—plane tickets, visas, and travel logistics—convincing the workers that this is a legal and safe opportunity. What the victims don't know is that they are about to be sold into a brutal cycle of forced labour and abuse.

The horror begins: Kidnapped in Thailand

Once the migrants arrive in Thailand, the nightmare begins. Instead of being taken to a workplace, they are ambushed by armed traffickers. At gunpoint, they are forced into unmarked vehicles, their passports confiscated, and their freedom stolen. They are smuggled across borders, transported deep into Myanmar, where scam centres operate under the protection of armed groups. 

The hell inside Myanmar's scam centres

The scam centres are heavily guarded compounds, surrounded by barbed wire and patrolled by armed guards. Inside, the captives are subjected to constant abuse and forced to work long hours in fraudulent schemes.

The work they are forced into includes:

Romance scams: Victims are forced to create fake online profiles, pretending to be attractive individuals looking for love. They lure unsuspecting people into emotional relationships, manipulating them into sending money.

Investment scams: The trafficked workers are made to pose as financial experts, convincing people to invest in fake cryptocurrency, stock trading platforms, or high-return investment plans. Many victims lose their life savings.

Tech support scams: The workers pretend to be IT support representatives, calling individuals and tricking them into believing their computers have been hacked. They are then coerced into paying for fake security services.

If the trafficked workers refuse to cooperate or fail to meet daily quotas, they face severe punishment. Survivors have described brutal beatings, electric shocks, starvation, and solitary confinement. Some victims have been tortured to death.

A survivor's story: Rahim's nightmare

Rahim (name changed for safety), a 28-year-old father of two, left his village in Bangladesh hoping to provide a better future for his children. Working in Dubai, he barely earned enough to survive. When he was offered a high-paying job in Thailand, he saw it as an opportunity to change his family's life.

But his journey turned into a horror story.

"I was taken at gunpoint. They blindfolded me and shoved me into a van. I didn't know where I was being taken," Rahim recalls, his voice trembling.

Once inside the scam centre in Myanmar, Rahim was forced to scam people for up to 18 hours a day. "They beat us if we didn't bring in enough money. They told us we were worthless. Every night, I thought about my children, wondering if I would ever see them again."

The massive crackdown and rescue efforts

Recent global efforts have shed light on these scam operations. A joint crackdown by Thailand, Myanmar, and China has led to over 7,000 victims being rescued from Myanmar's scam centres. Among them, 20 Bangladeshis were found trapped in these modern-day slave camps.

The rescue operation was conducted under the control of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), a Myanmar-based armed group. Following the operation, two Bangladeshi victims have already been repatriated, and the remaining 18 are awaiting a safe return to Bangladesh.

The challenges of repatriation

With over 7,000 rescued individuals from multiple countries, the repatriation process is slow and complicated. More than half of those rescued are Chinese nationals, while others come from Vietnam, Ethiopia, the Philippines, and Brazil. Thai authorities are struggling to process the vast number of rescued individuals, and diplomatic efforts are underway to ensure safe returns.

Thailand has also taken drastic measures to combat these scam centres, cutting off electricity, internet, and gas supplies to the areas where these operations are based.

A broken system

Despite government efforts, human trafficking remains a crisis. In 2024 alone, Bangladesh investigated 975 trafficking cases, prosecuted 3,475 suspects, and convicted 407 traffickers. However, weak enforcement and corruption allow traffickers to continue exploiting vulnerable migrants. Many victims find themselves trapped because their home governments struggle to intervene quickly.

Trafficking is not just a crime—it is a violation of humanity. We need stronger laws, better enforcement, and regional cooperation. But most importantly, we need compassion—for the victims who have already suffered so much."

A call to action: What needs to be done

The battle against human trafficking cannot be won by one country alone. Governments, international organisations, and individuals must work together to dismantle these networks and protect vulnerable migrants. Key steps include:

Justice for victims: Traffickers, including corrupt officials, must face severe penalties.

Protection and support: Shelters must be established for all victims, including men and Rohingya refugees, who are often overlooked.

Awareness and education: Migrant workers need pre-departure training to recognise the signs of trafficking.

International collaboration: Stronger ties between Bangladesh, the UAE, Thailand, and Myanmar are essential to dismantling trafficking networks.

We must not turn away

The horror that these migrants have endured is not just a statistic—it is a deeply human tragedy. It is the story of fathers trying to provide for their families, of young men lured by hope, only to be trapped in despair. It is a story of suffering but also of resilience.

As Rahim says, "I survived. But so many are still trapped. We cannot forget them."

We must listen. We must act. We must ensure that no one is ever deceived, kidnapped, and enslaved in the name of a better future again.

Rayhan Kabir is a Sector Specialist (Case Management) in the migration Programme at BRAC

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.