- UN agency warns of a dramatic increase in human trafficking into Asian scam compounds, with victims from more than 80 countries being exploited.
- IOM reports that huge scam centres employing as many as 300,000 workers across Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, are using online schemes to defraud often older individuals in the West.
- Pope stated that the IOM has assisted more than 3,500 survivors from 33 countries, many of whom return home deeply traumatized and burdened by debt after months or years in captivity.
- Annual global losses from online scam operations reached between $88bn and $114bn last year, according to recent estimates by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
- Trafficked individuals are often stripped of their documents and forced to carry out online scam operations amid threats and violence.
- Survivors frequently face stigma and debt, as well as trauma from experiences such as sexual abuse or solitary confinement.
- Pope emphasized that people trapped in scam compounds are victims of trafficking, forced to commit crimes through violence, threats, and coercion.
- IOM has called for stronger cross-border cooperation, prevention efforts, and public awareness to disrupt trafficking networks and protect individuals from deceptive recruitment offers.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported a dramatic rise in human trafficking into scam centres across Southeast Asia, with an estimated 300,000 workers exploited in countries like Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. These centres employ deceptive online schemes to defraud vulnerable individuals, particularly older adults in the West.34
IOM Director General Amy Pope highlighted that victims, often from over 80 countries, are stripped of their documents and coerced into committing crimes under threats of violence. The IOM has assisted more than 3,500 survivors from 33 countries, many of whom return home traumatized and burdened by debt.589
Pope emphasized the need for stronger cross-border cooperation and public awareness to combat these trafficking networks. She stated, “People trapped in scam compounds are victims of trafficking, forced to commit crimes through violence, threats and coercion.” The UN Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that annual global losses from these online scams range between $88 billion and $114 billion.6
Despite the scale of the crisis, survivors often face stigma and are treated as criminals rather than victims. Pope called for continued support to assist victims through protection, safe return, and reintegration efforts, as many suffer from trauma, debt, and abuse during their captivity.
“The IOM has reported that annual global losses from online scams reached between $88bn and $114bn last year, highlighting the financial impact of these operations. Additionally, over 3,500 survivors from 33 countries have been assisted, many facing trauma and debt after their experiences in captivity.”
