The government of Bangladesh on Monday revoked the licences of three recruitment agencies and seized their financial bonds after they allegedly deceived 30 young Bangladeshi nationals into travelling to Russia under false pretenses.

The revocation was ordered by Ariful Haque Chowdhury, the minister for overseas employment and welfare for expatriates. 

The agencies—RS International (RL-1428), Jabal-e-Noor (RL-2505), and TS Overseas Limited (RL-1755)—reportedly lured the workers with promises of high salaries and attractive benefits before sending them to Russia in what authorities described as a fraudulent scheme, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment said. 

"No syndicate, organisation, individual, or group involved in the heinous crime of putting citizens' lives at risk and sending them abroad through deception will be spared," Ariful said.

He said oversight mechanisms would be further strengthened to prevent similar crimes in the future, adding that no recruitment agency would be allowed to damage the country's overseas employment sector through dishonest practices.

"We are already using diplomatic channels to arrange their swift and safe return," he said.

Furthermore, the minister said he had telephoned the Bangladeshi ambassador in Moscow, instructing the mission to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and protection of the victims.

The ministry urged citizens planning to work abroad to verify the legitimacy of any recruitment agency and carefully review employment terms before entering into any financial transaction.

Bangladesh is a leading source of migrant workers, sending millions of its citizens abroad, mainly to the Middle East and Southeast Asia. The problem of fraudulent recruitment persists, and unscrupulous brokers continue to victimize workers, leaving them stranded, unpaid, or in unsafe conditions.