Protecting women from cross-border marriage scams

The growing use of social media and online communication has created new opportunities for international connections. Unfortunately, it has also enabled criminal networks to exploit vulnerable women through fraudulent marriage proposals and false promises of a better life abroad. In some cases, Bangladeshi women have reportedly been lured to China through deceptive matchmaking arrangements facilitated by traffickers or unauthorized brokers, only to face exploitation, abuse, or forced marriages.

It is important to emphasise that these crimes are committed by criminal networks and traffickers. Genuine cross-border marriages are legal and should not be confused with illegal trafficking schemes.

Bangladesh must strengthen its efforts to prevent such crimes. The government should closely monitor unauthorised marriage brokers, improve cyber surveillance, tighten immigration screening, and enhance cooperation with Chinese authorities to identify and dismantle transnational trafficking networks. Public awareness campaigns should educate families about the risks of accepting overseas marriage or employment offers without proper verification.

Human trafficking is a serious crime that demands a coordinated response from governments, law enforcement agencies, civil society, and the public. Protecting Bangladeshi women requires stronger enforcement, greater awareness, and international cooperation to ensure that criminal networks cannot exploit hope and trust for profit.

Ashikujaman Syed

Research Associate

Bioinformatics Research Lab

Center for Research Innovation and Development (CRID)

syedashikujaman@yahoo.com