CYBER crimes increase rapidly while the law enforcement agencies continue to struggle with inadequate logistical support, limited digital forensic capacity and a shortage of skilled investigators. Common offences include breaking into digital systems and cloning social media accounts, online fraud, blackmail, threats, harassment and gambling, and intruding bank and mobile financial service accounts. The Criminal Investigation Department recorded 3,465 online fraud complaints, 1,987 complaints of online harassment, 491 hacking-related complaints and hundreds of cases involving cloned social media accounts between June 2025 and April 2026. Small online business owners, women and ordinary social media users are increasingly exposed to harassment, intimidation and financial scams. In one case, as New Age reported on May 9, a woman running an online clothing business faced sustained cyber harassment with obscene AI-generated images, anonymous threats and intimidation that affected her personal and professional life. Such incidents demonstrate that cyber crimes now extend beyond financial losses and increasingly threatens personal safety, mental well-being and reputation. Yet, only a small number of victims file formal complaints, suggesting that many either lack confidence in the legal process or avoid seeking legal redress altogether.
The institutional response to cyber crimes has expanded in recent years although the law enforcement agencies acknowledge that support mechanisms remain inadequate for the growing scale of offences. The Criminal Investigation Department established the Cyber Police Centre in 2020 to provide victims with assistance. Specialised unit Police Cyber Support for Women was established at the same time to address gender-based online violence. The Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police also established the Cyber Support Centre in November 2025 to strengthen support services. Police officials say that plans are under way to establish cyber units in all districts and to introduce dedicated call centres and mobile applications to make reporting easy for victims. There are laws, but enforcement remains a challenge. Their ability to trace, preserve and quickly analyse digital evidence is largely limited. There is a structural dependence on victim reporting and platform cooperation. Investigations often begin only after victims file complaints or general diaries. The police also rely heavily on assistance from global technology companies such as Meta and Google for user data, but access is inconsistent because of corporate policies, jurisdictional restrictions and slow response time. This delays investigations and often weakens evidence collection.
Successive governments have been focused on enacting punitive laws without ensuring right human resources and institutional preparedness to tackle such crimes. The government should strengthen its cyber-crime response by investing in modern digital forensic laboratories and building specialised, well-trained cyber investigation teams in the law enforcement agencies. The government needs to consider signing memorandums with major tech corporations for fast, structured cooperation with global social media and timely access to digital evidence.
