Cyber Crime Complaints in Bangladesh Decline Despite Rising Online Offenses
With the rapid rise in online activity, the incidence of crimes in the digital space has increased in reality, yet complaints and cases reported to law enforcement have not seen a corresponding rise. Statistics from the past five years indicate a peak of 42,947 complaints in 2021, which gradually declined to 34,512 in 2022, 28,212 in 2023, and 21,772 in 2024. In the first eight months of 2025, the number of complaints recorded was 10,809, continuing the downward trend.
Data from the Cyber Police Centre of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) show that online shopping fraud accounted for the highest number of complaints at 457. Between June 1 and August 25, 2025, a total of 1,082 complaints were received. Other complaints included 321 cases of online investment scams, 49 cases of job-related fraud, 32 loan-related scams, 11 complaints related to fraudulent NID modifications, and 68 complaints concerning mobile recharge or data purchases.
According to CID statistics, in the past eight months alone, Facebook accounted for 5,582 complaints and hotline calls accounted for 5,227, totaling 10,809 complaints. Of these, 4,020 were resolved via Facebook, 3,920 through phone support, and three cases were taken to court.
From January 2020 to August 26, 2025, the Bangladesh Police Cyber Crime Unit received a total of 174,830 complaints through its cyber support desk hotline and Facebook page, providing immediate assistance to 90,574 individuals. Of the 2,789 complaints taken for investigation, 40 cases resulted in formal legal action.
In 2024 alone, of the 21,772 complaints received, only 241 cases were investigated and nine led to formal court cases. Previous years recorded similarly low figures, with just five cases in 2021, and seven cases each in 2020 and 2022.
The “Cyber Crime Trends in Bangladesh – 2024” annual report by the Cyber Crime Awareness Foundation (SCAFF) highlights that approximately 80% of online victims do not lodge complaints. Among the victims, around 59% are women, and young people aged 18–30 are the primary targets. Nearly 80% of those who do approach law enforcement express dissatisfaction with the outcomes.
SCAFF’s research further indicates that 12.5% of complainants declined to comment, while 87.5% reported receiving no tangible benefits from filing complaints. Despite being well-educated, many victims remain disillusioned.
Amid this scenario, the Central Bank of Bangladesh has issued awareness directives, expressing concern over the growth of illegal transactions through hundi, online gambling, gaming, betting, forex, and cryptocurrency trading.
