Polished Facebook videos showing Bangladeshis arriving on Italian beaches, walking through European streets and shopping in supermarkets are being used to lure people into dangerous Mediterranean crossings, with traffickers presenting the journey from Libya to Europe as a guaranteed “game.”
Behind the carefully curated videos is a far more dangerous reality: deaths at sea, detention and torture in Libya, and ransom demands of up to Tk30 lakh from migrants’ families.
The social media campaign comes as Bangladeshis once again top the list of nationalities attempting to enter Italy through the Mediterranean. This year, Bangladeshis also rank first among those attempting to reach Greece by sea.
The issue comes into sharper focus on July 30, the International Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The UN General Assembly designated the day in 2013. This year’s theme is “Trafficking in Persons: A Crime of Deception.”
According to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, 20,259 Bangladeshis entered Europe via the Mediterranean in 2025. In the first six months of 2026, a total of 4,249 Bangladeshis entered Italy by sea, while another 3,608 travelled from Libya to Greece.
Bangladesh has remained the leading nationality among irregular arrivals in Italy for several years, with the same trend now emerging in Greece.
How Facebook is used
Traffickers and intermediaries use Facebook groups, Reels, TikTok videos and live broadcasts to market the journey to potential migrants.
Videos showing people arriving at beaches in Italy or Greece, walking through Italian streets or shopping at supermarkets are posted with captions such as: “Alhamdulillah, game done in seven days.”
The videos do not the other side of the journey — the risks of spending days at sea without food or water, boats sinking or migrants being detained and abused in Libya.
Traffickers also advertise migration “packages” through 15- to 30-second TikTok and Facebook Reels. Offers such as “Full Italy package Tk14 lakh, Italy by boat from Libya” and “New Greece game launched, guaranteed arrival in 10 days” are promoted alongside scenic footage of Italy and Arabic music.
Fake accounts are used to post comments portraying the journeys as safe and successful, creating the impression that others have already made it to Europe without problems.
Some intermediaries also go live from Libya, assuring potential migrants that there is nothing to fear and that Frontex vessels will rescue them and take them to Italy.
From comments to private messages
The recruitment often moves from public Facebook comments to private conversations.
Those who show interest may be contacted through Messenger or IMO. Traffickers then send videos of Bangladeshis in Libya, sometimes made under coercion, claiming they are doing well.
Potential migrants may also be told they do not have to pay upfront and can settle the cost after reaching Italy.
But once migrants arrive in Libya, they may be held hostage and tortured, with traffickers demanding Tk25 lakh to Tk30 lakh from their families.
Traffickers also target district-specific Facebook groups, including those named after Madaripur, Shariatpur, Sunamganj and Sylhet. Groups such as “Madaripur to Italy” and “Sylhet to Europe Game News” are used to reach people from areas where demand for migration to Europe is high.
The deadly reality behind the videos
The dangers of the route were underscored by an incident in March, when at least 18 Bangladeshis died while attempting to travel from Libya to Greece. Twelve of the victims were from Sunamganj.
A boat that departed from Tobruk, Libya, on March 21 lost its way at sea and drifted for six days without food or water. Several Bangladeshis on board eventually died, and their bodies were thrown into the sea at the traffickers’ direction.
Despite the risks, the journeys continue. Many Bangladeshis attempting to cross the Mediterranean are detained in camps across Libya, where they face severe physical abuse. Traffickers allegedly hold them hostage and demand ransoms of Tk25 lakh to Tk30 lakh from their families.
According to data from Brac’s Migration Program, most Bangladeshis travelling to Europe through these routes are aged between 25 and 40. People from at least 10 to 12 districts, including Madaripur, Shariatpur, Sylhet and Sunamganj, are increasingly attempting to reach Europe through these routes.
Social media fuels wider trafficking crisis
According to a Ministry of Home Affairs report, 1,126 new cases were filed under the human trafficking law in 2025. Including older cases, 5,284 cases remained pending as of May 2026.
Of these, 3,306 are under trial, while investigations into another 1,978 cases have yet to be completed. Police and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) are investigating the cases.
Meanwhile, cyber scams have emerged as another threat.
A Brac study found that 98% of Bangladeshis taken to various Southeast Asian countries with promises of overseas jobs did not receive employment. Instead, their movements were restricted and 90% were forced to engage in fraudulent activities. Those who refused were subjected to severe physical abuse, according to the study.
‘Bangladesh now ranks first for Greece as well’
Brac Associate Director Shariful Hasan said Bangladeshis have remained the leading nationality travelling to Italy through the Mediterranean for several years.
“This year, Bangladesh also ranks first among those travelling to Greece,” he said.
“Many people are dying while attempting to reach Italy or Greece this way. At the same time, many Bangladeshis in Libya are facing severe abuse. They are held captive and tortured in camps, after which money is extorted from their families,” Hasan said.
He described human trafficking under the guise of overseas employment or labour migration as an extremely serious problem.
“Traffickers are now using information technology, but law enforcement agencies are lagging behind. At the same time, trafficking cases are not being properly adjudicated. Overall, the situation is extremely concerning,” he said.
A senior Home Ministry official said a strong legal framework has been established to hold those involved in human trafficking accountable.
“Law enforcement agencies remain vigilant and active in this regard. Border security measures have been strengthened. Various public awareness campaigns are being conducted to inform people about the dangers of trafficking,” the official said.
He added that the government has taken initiatives to strengthen legal measures, technological capabilities and inter-agency coordination to combat technology-enabled human trafficking and migration-related fraud.
Recently, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said new legislation would help prevent organised criminal groups from abusing digital platforms and technology and strengthen efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
He said legal and institutional capabilities have also been upgraded to international standards to keep pace with the constantly evolving tactics of criminal networks.