Lured with Europe dreams, held hostage in Libya: ransom trap leaves Bangladeshi families destitute

Bangladeshi youths are being taken to Libya with dreams of a better life and high-paying jobs in Italy and other European countries. But before reaching Europe, many face captivity, torture and a ransom trap.

After reaching Libya, they are held hostage by human-trafficking gangs. The gangs phone families back home and demand lakhs of taka. Even after selling land and belongings to pay, families in many cases do not secure their relatives' release, and contact is also cut off.

Most recently, the demand for Tk 42 lakh in ransom for Md Saiful of Sundarganj, Gaibandha, has brought the gang's domestic network into focus. Earlier cases include about Tk 40 lakh taken for two friends held hostage, and about Tk 1.5 crore taken from five families in Chuadanga.

Hoping to restore his family's finances, 39-year-old Md Saiful of Sundarganj upazila, Gaibandha, went to Libya about two years ago through a broker named Sohel. After reaching there, he was held hostage and ransom was demanded from his family.

The family alleges that on 5 August 2025 the traffickers demanded Tk 30 lakh, saying Saiful would be released. Promised a chance to speak to their son, family members sent Tk 5 lakh through bKash at different times. But even after receiving the money, the traffickers did not let them speak to Saiful.

Then a further Tk 42 lakh was demanded from his father, Abdus Samad. The family was told Saiful was being held by two men named Mokarram and Anwar in Libya.

Investigating a case filed over the incident, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Md Monowar Hossain and Md Sohel Rana from Singra Bazar area of Natore last Thursday. The CID said investigation is continuing to identify other gang members, determine the trafficking route and learn Saiful's whereabouts.

Earlier, a report published on 9 November said two friends, Kamal Khalifa and Atik Majhi, who went to Libya hoping for a better life, were held hostage by a trafficking gang. Their families allege Akash Sardar of Lonsing area in Naria lured them with Europe, took them abroad and handed them to a criminal gang in Libya.

The families say about Tk 40 lakh has already been paid in the hope of freeing the two youths. Even after selling land and other assets they could not secure their release, and more money is being demanded. Police said the accused Akash Sardar has been arrested; there are two cases against him under the human trafficking law.

Another report published the same day described five families in Chuadanga. Promised earnings of Tk 4-5 lakh a month in Italy, five men from different villages of Alamdanga upazila decided to go abroad. To raise the cost, some sold land, some livestock, farm equipment and gold ornaments, and some took loans.

But instead of reaching Italy, they were taken to Libya. They were allegedly held and tortured there for about 10 months. About Tk 1 crore 47 lakh was taken from their families for travel costs and ransom, the report said. The five later returned home, but their families now carry the burden of debt.

Investigations show the traffickers work in several stages. First, local brokers attract youths with promises of jobs, a better life and higher income in Europe, and take large sums to send them abroad. The victims are then taken through different countries to Libya, handed to accomplices there, and ransom is demanded from their families.

A report published on 3 October, citing a CID investigation, said a nine-member network was found in the trafficking of a youth from Jashore to Libya. The investigation also found SIMs registered in other people's names being used to collect ransom.

And a report published on 17 October said the CID has identified more than 119 people involved in human trafficking to Europe via Libya, linked to at least 18 criminal networks. Not all could be arrested; several are staying abroad.

Experts say that before going abroad, the recruiting organisation, visa, job contract and the agency's legality must be verified. Promises of unusually high salaries, assurances of a quick visa and informal demands for large sums should be treated as warning signs, they believe.