RAJSHAHI, April 21, (V7N) — Three families in Bagmara upazila of Rajshahi have accused a father‑son duo of fraud and trafficking, alleging they were lured abroad with promises of lucrative jobs but instead sold to a foreign company and forced into inhumane labor.

According to case documents, Fazlur Rahman (52) and his son Zakaria Islam Sumon (22) of Sewzbari village in Jhikra union collected Tk 5.5 lakh each from the families of Zahidul Islam, Zahid Hasan Sheikh, and Shahinur Islam. The victims said they raised the money by selling land and property, trusting the promise of overseas employment.

Sumon later sent them to Cambodia, where they discovered they had been sold to a Chinese company. Victims reported being tortured, denied adequate food, and forced to work under harsh conditions. When families confronted Fazlur Rahman, he allegedly demanded more money to bring them back but failed to do so. Eventually, relatives managed to rescue them with the help of Bangladeshis living in Cambodia.

Now back home, the families say they are facing extreme financial hardship. “We sent our children abroad in the hope of a better life. Instead, Fazlur Rahman took everything from us. When we ask for our money back, he threatens to kill us and frame us in false cases,” one victim’s family alleged.

Despite repeated attempts, Fazlur Rahman could not be reached for comment. Bagmara Police Station OC Zillur Rahman said he was not aware of the matter but promised details would be shared once investigations begin.

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