UN migration agency warns of trafficking into online scam centers

2 min read

The International Organization for Migration says criminal networks have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people into online scam centers, often by luring applicants with fake job ads on social media. Victims, including many educated English speakers and some with graduate degrees, are reportedly locked up, had identity documents seized, and forced through threats, violence and debt bondage to run scams. The IOM cited UNODC estimates that losses across East Asia, Australia and New Zealand reached as much as $114 billion last year, and said it assisted more than 3,500 victims from nearly 40 origin countries between 2022 and 2025.

IOM reports hundreds of thousands trafficked into scam centers.