Forced to scam: Inside one of the fastest-growing forms of human trafficking

UNODC

The job offer looked real. The recruiter sounded professional. The salary was generous, with accommodation and travel included

This is the reality for more than 300,000 people currently trapped in scam centres in Southeast Asia. Rather than employees, they are victims of human trafficking, forced to commit online fraud for the profit of organized criminal networks

Human trafficking for forced criminality

Human trafficking for forced criminality occurs when people are exploited and made to commit crimes for the benefit of traffickers, often through deception, threats or coercion

Beyond scams, victims may be forced into a range of illegal activities, including theft, drug trafficking, financial fraud and online scams – an increasingly common and rapidly growing form of this crime

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that scams targeting victims in East and Southeast Asia resulted in US $18 to US $37 billion in financial losses in 2023 alone, highlighting the scale and profitability of this rapidly growing form of the crime

But human trafficking into scam centres is no longer confined to one region. By late 2025, victims identified came from nearly 80 nationalities, and while Southeast Asia remains a major hub, the model is increasingly spreading to the Middle East, Africa, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, South Asia the Pacific and Latin America and the Caribbean

Corruption is one of the main reasons scam centres can continue to operate. By protecting criminals or turning a blind eye to their activities, corrupt officials make it harder for authorities to stop these operations

How are victims recruited into scam operations?

Recruitment usually begins online. Fraudulent job advertisements target people who speak multiple languages, have digital skills and are familiar with social media

Criminal networks seek educated workers capable of carrying out sophisticated cyber-enabled crimes, including investment scams, romance fraud, money laundering and illegal gambling

The offers appear attractive:monthly salaries of around USD 1,000–1,500, free accommodation, meals and paid travel. Vacancies are advertised for roles in digital marketing, customer service, construction, translation, hospitality and online gaming, among others. The advertisements are spread through social media, messaging platforms, recruitment agencies and sometimes automated online tools

Not every victim is recruited by a stranger. Criminal networks also exploit personal relationships, coercing trafficking victims into persuading friends or relatives to apply for the same fake jobs. In some cases, legitimate recruitment agencies are unknowingly used to advertise fraudulent positions

Victims often go through convincing interviews, sign of what appears to be a legitimate six-month employment contract and travel abroad expecting a promising career opportunity. Instead, they arrive at a scam compound or a smaller site where the criminal operation is being carried out

Life inside a scam compound

The compounds where victims are exploited used to be huge facilitiesheavily secured, surrounded by barbed wire, electric fences, armed guards and barred windows

But scam operations are no longer limited to large compounds. Criminal groups are increasingly using smaller and more dispersed locations, making it more difficult for authorities to identify and shut them down

Upon arrival, victims are stripped of their passports, phones and freedom of movement.  Their computer screens are connected to central monitoring systems, allowing supervisors to watch every interaction in real time. Workers are required to build online relationships, often adding up to 15 new contacts every day

They are then forced to manipulate those contacts into fraudulent schemes designed to steal money. These include cryptocurrency investment scams, fake trading platforms, online betting, romance scams, e-commerce fraud and illegal gambling

Victims are expected to meet strict financial targets. Failure to meet quotas, or any perceived disobedience, can result in torture, physical violence and other forms of abuse. Most victims report witnessing or experiencing severe mistreatment

Survivors in Southeast Asia report that operators are often warned before raids take place, allowing victims to be moved to other compounds or hidden until inspections end

How traffickers maintain control?

Control extends far beyond physical confinement

Isolation and restricted movement are key tools of control. Victims are typically moved between dormitories and offices under constant supervision, forced to work long hours before returning to their sleeping quarters. Even basic activities, such as bathroom breaks, are monitored. The victims often live in groups and are not allowed to speak to anyone outside it

Debt bondage schemes are used against the victims, asking them to pay back the money ‘invested’ in them for training and relocation. However, the debt increases over time and becomes unpayable. In some cases, these debts become the ransom extorted from the victim’s families, which ranges from USD 3,000 to USD 30,000

Threats are constant. Victims are told their families will be harmed if they attempt to escape or fail to perform. They may also be threats for sale into sexual exploitation, removal or body organs or transfer to another scam compound

Torture, sexual violence, cruel and degrading treatment, overcrowded living conditions and limited access to medical care are commonly reported by victims

How is UNODC helping countries combat this crime?

UNODC helps countries combat human trafficking for forced criminality by providing specialized training to law enforcement, enabling authorities to better identify victims, investigate cases and bring traffickers to justice

These efforts have contributed to numerous raids and the closure of scam compounds across Southeast Asia. However, criminal networks have proved highly adaptable

UNODC examined how five South Asian countries – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka – are responding to this growing challenge. As part of this work, a study is being prepared based on stakeholder consultations and available information to identify key challenges and provide recommendations for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges and other criminal justice professionals

In Mexico, Guatemala and Peru, UNODC is supporting law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities strengthen cross-border coordination and cooperation. As part of this effort, the three countries are developing tools for the early identification of human trafficking for forced criminal activities in digital environments to commit scams

This year, UNODC is shining a spotlight on this form of human trafficking through its World Day Against Trafficking in Persons campaign

Source: www.unodc.org