UN: Human trafficking for online fraud is on the rise

The United Nations agency for migration has warned that human trafficking linked to online fraud is growing rapidly, with hundreds of thousands of people being exploited each year. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), individuals are lured under false promises of well-paid work abroad, only to be imprisoned, monitored, and forced to participate in fraudulent schemes. On World Day Against Human Trafficking on July 30, the IOM unveiled a new strategy aimed at protecting vulnerable populations from such exploitation. The IOM describes this method of criminal groups as one of the fastest-growing forms of human trafficking. Figures show a sharp increase over the past two to three years, according to IOM chief Amy Pope, who estimates that around 300,000 people globally are currently working in these facilities. Not all of them are victims of human traffickers, she notes. A new trend involves targeting individuals with strong English skills and university degrees, increasingly from Africa. Many are desperate for employment and fail to scrutinize job offers carefully. Some are encouraged to travel to distant countries using tourist visas, a red flag for potential exploitation. Previously, human traffickers often targeted individuals with little education, forcing them into prostitution or long, inhumane shifts on fishing boats. Now, however, the focus has shifted toward more educated individuals, particularly those from regions facing economic hardship. These individuals are often promised legitimate opportunities, which mask their involvement in illegal activities. The deception can lead to severe consequences, including physical abuse, psychological trauma, and financial exploitation. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna estimated the damage caused by such criminal activities in scam centers to be as high as $114.1 billion (approximately €100 billion) in East and Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand alone last year. Between 2022 and 2025, the IOM has assisted over 3,500 people from 39 countries who were held against their will in such facilities, primarily from Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Kenya. Survivors have reported experiencing torture and sexual exploitation, often threatened and beaten, and required to pay off debts incurred during their journey. In some cases, families back home were extorted through threats. Victims of these scams include people worldwide, often manipulated with fabricated issues related to their bank accounts to gain access to passwords and drain their funds, said Pope. The IOM collaborates with survivors who report the issue on social media platforms, aiming to alert others and prevent further victimization. The rise in this form of human trafficking highlights the increasing sophistication of criminal networks operating online. As digital platforms become more integrated into daily life, they also provide new avenues for exploitation. Victims are often isolated, both physically and digitally, making them easier targets. The IOM’s new strategy includes enhanced monitoring of online recruitment practices, improved support for survivors, and stronger international cooperation to dismantle these networks. Efforts are ongoing to raise awareness and protect vulnerable individuals from falling prey to such schemes.