Criminal syndicates in Malaysia are allegedly exploiting a number of financially vulnerable Bangladeshi migrants by recruiting them into online gambling, drug trafficking and other illegal activities after they fail to secure the jobs they were promised, according to expatriates, community leaders and enforcement reports.
Many of those targeted reportedly borrowed heavily or sold family assets to pay Tk500,000 to Tk700,000 to migrate to Malaysia.
When promised jobs failed to materialise or workers became undocumented because of recruitment fraud, they were left vulnerable to criminal networks operating in and around Kuala Lumpur.
Community members told Dhaka Tribune that several luxury condominiums in the Malaysian capital have been converted into covert online gambling centres where a small number of Bangladeshi nationals allegedly work as operators, customer service agents, digital marketers and payment coordinators.
Some are also accused of managing betting accounts targeting customers in Bangladesh while using Bangladeshi mobile numbers connected through international roaming to disguise the overseas operations.
To avoid financial scrutiny, the syndicates are alleged to rely on cryptocurrencies, informal hundi networks and other unofficial payment channels.
Malaysian authorities have carried out a series of raids this year against online gambling syndicates involving foreign nationals, including Bangladeshis.
In March, immigration officials arrested five Bangladeshis along with Malaysian and Pakistani nationals after uncovering an online gambling operation in Kedah that allegedly targeted Bangladeshi and Pakistani migrant workers.
In a separate operation, Malaysian Immigration Director-General Datuk Ruslin Jusoh announced the arrest of 35 people, including an alleged Bangladeshi mastermind, during coordinated raids on online gambling syndicates in Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas.
A Bangladeshi migrant, speaking anonymously, said he travelled to Malaysia believing he had secured a legitimate customer service job.
“After arriving, we realised we were expected to operate online betting platforms. The more customers we recruited, the more commission we earned,” he said.
Community leaders say the same vulnerabilities have also been exploited by international drug trafficking networks.
According to expatriates familiar with the issue, unemployed or undocumented migrants have been recruited as couriers, distributors and storage handlers for narcotics, including yaba and crystal methamphetamine.
They stressed, however, that only a tiny fraction of the hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis living and working in Malaysia are involved in criminal activities.
“The vast majority earn their livelihoods honestly in construction, manufacturing, agriculture and services,” said Aminul Islam Ratan, a Bangladeshi expatriate who has lived in Malaysia for more than three decades.
“The criminal activities of a handful of individuals unfairly damage the reputation of the entire Bangladeshi community.”
He called for stronger action against labour recruitment fraud, saying many migrants become vulnerable only after promised jobs fail to materialise.
Responding to questions, Bangladesh High Commission First Secretary (Press) Md Tarikul Islam said the mission had no specific information linking Bangladeshi nationals to organised online gambling or drug trafficking.
He said the High Commission regularly provides consular assistance to Bangladeshis arrested in Malaysia and visits detention centres to monitor their welfare and maintain contact with their families.
