Ministry warns travelers against unregistered agencies after human trafficking allegations

Dhaka: The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has warned the public against dealing with unregistered or expired travel agencies following allegations of human trafficking linked to a Bangladeshi travel firm reportedly sanctioned by the United Kingdom.

In a statement issued on May 10, the ministry said the agency named in recent media reports is DREAM HOME TRAVELS, not Dream Home Travels and Tours Limited, clarifying confusion surrounding the identity of the accused company.

The clarification came after media outlets published a report titled “UK Sanctions Bangladeshi Travel Agency Over ‘Human Trafficking’ to Russia.”

According to the ministry, an investigation launched after a January 2025 report in a newspaper found that the license of DREAM HOME TRAVELS (Certificate No. 0012021), owned by M M Abul Hasan, expired on April 3, 2021.

Officials said that under the Bangladesh Travel Agency Registration and Control Act 2013, all travel agencies must obtain and regularly renew government registration through the online Travel Agency Management System.

The ministry expressed concern that many agencies continue operating despite expired registrations or without any authorization, exposing customers to fraud, harassment, and financial risks.

Authorities urged travelers to verify the registration status and license validity of agencies before purchasing airline tickets or tour packages. The ministry specifically advised the public to avoid financial transactions with unregistered or expired agencies to prevent potential scams and losses.

The government said travelers can check agency registration information through the official Travel Agency Management System managed by the Bangladesh Travel Agency Registration Authority.