UNODC and the EU warn of rising human trafficking for criminal activities in scam centres
Update Explained
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime along with the European Union have raised alarms about the increasing problem of human trafficking for forced criminality, particularly involving cyber-enabled fraud and online scams. Criminal groups are using deceitful job advertisements to lure individuals into scam operations, mainly in Southeast Asia but spreading globally. Victims are trapped in these scams through digital technologies and are often wrongly seen as criminals. The UNODC and the EU are urging for coordinated international efforts to dismantle these criminal networks, identify victims, and provide them with necessary protection and support. They emphasize the urgent need for international cooperation to address the broad and complex threats posed by scam centers linked to organized crime.
What changed
Attention has been specifically directed towards human trafficking for forced criminal activity, especially cyber-enabled fraud and online scams.
Why it matters
There is a recognized need for more robust international collaboration to tackle human trafficking for cyber-enabled scams. The focus is on dismantling criminal networks while ensuring that victims are seen as such and not treated as criminals.
Who is affected
- Individuals deceived by false job advertisements
- Victims of cyber-enabled fraud and online scams
Key details
- Criminal networks are expanding operations using digital and AI technologies.
- The EU plans to release an Action Plan and a Strategy to combat digital fraud and human trafficking.
Important notes
The scale of trafficking for cyber-enabled fraud is a global issue with reports of victims from almost 80 nationalities by 2025.