Ticket Trafficking Troubles: Social Media Scams Persist Despite Railway Regulations
Despite the Bangladesh Railway’s strict regulations requiring passengers to purchase tickets using their own National ID and mobile number through the official website or app, illicit ticket scalping remains rampant on social media. Various groups on Facebook and WhatsApp continue to facilitate black-market ticket sales, often at two to two-and-a-half times the official price. In some cases, fraudsters are selling the same ticket to multiple buyers, leaving passengers stranded and defrauded.
Even though official ticket sales end on Thursdays, numerous social media groups—such as "Train Ticket Buy and Sell," "Train Ticket Market," "Online Train Ticket Information," and "Safe Group for Buying and Selling Train Tickets"—continue to offer advance train tickets.
One such victim, Hafizur Rahman Akand, shared his experience in the "Train Ticket Buy and Sell" Facebook group. He recounted how a scammer promised him a Teesta Express train ticket, took 1,000 taka, and then blocked him on Facebook. Hafizur also posted the fraudster’s bKash number as a warning to others.
Similarly, another passenger, Sohrab Hossain, responded to an advertisement on Facebook. After negotiating the price, he was directed to a specific location to collect his ticket. According to his account, the scammers initially purchase tickets under their own credentials. When reselling, they use a private app to erase the original National ID and mobile number linked to the ticket and replace it with the buyer’s details.
A ticket collector at Kamalapur Railway Station, speaking anonymously, confirmed that ticket verification includes checking whether the passenger’s National ID matches the ticket. If discrepancies arise, the passenger is denied entry to the station.
Addressing the issue, Kamalapur Railway Station Manager Shahadat Hossain assured that security measures are in place. "Each train is monitored by TG (Train Guard) teams and members of the GRP (Government Railway Police). They patrol from the first to the last carriage to ensure security. Bangladesh Railway has maintained a reputation for quality passenger service. Now, 100% of tickets are sold online. We are committed to enforcing the policy of ‘the ticket holder must be the traveler,’" he stated.
Shahadat Hossain advised passengers to purchase tickets only through the official railway website or app using their own credentials. He warned, "If anyone attempts to board a train with a ticket purchased from an unauthorized third party, they will face fines and legal action under railway laws."
He further explained the multi-layered security checks at railway stations. "First, there is an initial verification at the station entrance. Then, before boarding, tickets and National IDs are checked again. Additionally, on the train, the Travel Ticket Examiner (TTE) scans tickets using a POS (Point of Sale) machine. No one can travel by train without a valid National ID," he emphasized.
When approached about the black-market ticketing issue, a Railway Police Officer-in-Charge (OC) stated that such matters fall outside their jurisdiction. "Our responsibility is to handle crimes occurring inside or around the trains. Online fraud cases should be referred to the cybercrime unit," he said.
Meanwhile, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of the Police Headquarters’ Media and Public Relations Division, Enamul Haque Sagar, confirmed that cyber patrolling is ongoing to track down online ticket fraudsters. "We are identifying and prosecuting these online scammers under the law. The public must remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to such fraud," he advised.
