Eight young men from Chattogram say they lost large sums of money after being lured with promises of high-paying jobs in Saudi Arabia. They also allege they were abused, extorted and, in one case, disappeared after arriving in the Gulf country.
The allegations were made during a news conference held Wednesday in Banshkhali by the victims' families.
The accused are Azam Khan and his son Abdul Jalil, residents of Sadhanpur Union in Banshkhali. The families claim they promised Saudi driving and restaurant jobs with attractive salaries but failed to provide the employment described.
The alleged victims include residents of Banshkhali, Satkania and Rauzan in Chattogram.
According to the families, several victims were forced to pay additional money to return home. One family said it spent 1.2 million Bangladeshi taka to bring a relative back alive. Others reported paying between 264,000 and 363,000 taka for the release and return of family members.
The families also said one victim, Md. Forkan, has been missing in Saudi Arabia for the past eight months.
At the news conference, Ayesha Siddika Rina, sister of victim Md. Raihan, said her family paid 450,000 taka for what they believed was a long-term work visa.
She alleged that instead they received a visa valid for only three months. Shortly before it expired, she said, her brother was robbed of his belongings, detained and physically assaulted.
Rina further claimed that the family later received threats and was repeatedly asked to send more money. According to her, they transferred 950,000 taka in three installments before Raihan was returned to Bangladesh on July 8 with only the clothes he was wearing.
Abdul Jalil denied the allegations in a WhatsApp message sent from Saudi Arabia.
He said the accusations were "false and motivated" and suggested reporters speak with the chairman of Sadhanpur Union Parishad, saying the local official was aware of the matter.
Sadhanpur Union Parishad Chairman Salahuddin Kamal confirmed that the victims had filed complaints with the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO).
He said he had met with both parties and that Abdul Jalil had already paid 200,000 taka to each of the complainants.
Banshkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Ruhul Amin confirmed receiving a written complaint alleging visa fraud and abuse involving workers sent to Saudi Arabia.
He said the complaint has been forwarded to the union chairman for investigation and that legal action will be taken if the allegations are substantiated.
Note: The allegations have been made by the complainants and local officials have confirmed that an investigation is underway. The claims have not yet been proven in court.
