Forced Scamming

Behind the screen, veiled under texts. Human trafficking is digital and it's closer than you think.

Digital Slavery: The New Face of Human Trafficking

Every day, digital scams flood our phones. Behind many of these messages are real people – trapped, exploited, and forced to perpetrate scams against their will.

This is modern slavery hiding in plain sight:

✖️ 50 million people globally trapped in forced labor

📱 80% of text-based scams exploit trafficking victims

💲 Forced scamming generates more than US$ 11 billion annually

Human trafficking is closer than you think.

Slavery Hiding in Plain Sight: Scam Messages and Human Trafficking

What Is Digital Slavery and Forced Scamming?

Forced scamming is one of the fastest-growing forms of human trafficking.

Across Southeast Asia, criminal syndicates use social media to lure unsuspecting job seekers with fraudulent opportunities that are too good to refuse. They promise high-paying, white-collar jobs, and even offer travel and accommodation.

But upon arrival, victims have their passports, IDs, and phones confiscated. They are left isolated and powerless to seek help. Trapped in unfamiliar surroundings, victims face brutal treatment. Escape is impossible.

Victims of forced scamming are often educated professionals. But they soon find themselves enslaved in a lucrative criminal industry that generates over US$ 11 billion every year.

Escaping Digital Slavery in Southeast Asia: Grace's Story

At 17, a TikTok job offer should have been harmless. Instead, it led Grace into trafficking.

Grace grew up in a loving family in Thailand. During a school break, she saw a job advertisement on TikTok. It sounded like a great opportunity to earn money to save for university. 

With her family’s blessing, Grace and her best friend decided to take the job offer.

But it was a lie. The ad had been posted by a trafficking ring.

How Hagar Helps Victims of Forced Scamming

At Hagar, we believe ending human trafficking will take all of us working together. Our proven model tackles human trafficking in three ways.

survivor care

Restoration

Through residential and community-based survivor care, victims receive everything they need to overcome trauma and rebuild their lives.

HUS Trafficking Prevention

Prevention

We equip local families and communities to know the tactics traffickers use and prevent exploitation before it starts.

HUS Strengthening Systems

Transformation

By empowering survivor leaders, local communities, and global change-makers, we transform the systems that perpetuate abuse.

Take Action: End Digital Slavery and Human Trafficking

Whether you donate, get informed, or report suspicious activity – you can help break the cycle of exploitation and restore hope to survivors. Together we can help every woman and child experience the freedom and dignity they deserve.

Every Action Counts

Rescue & Restore Survivors

survivor care

Donate to provide essential care and resources for survivors while helping prevent exploitation. Every gift is tax-deductible.

Get Informed

HUS Trafficking Prevention

Download our Human Trafficking Action Guide to understand the issue, and discover how you can make a difference.

Report Suspicious Activity

HUS Strengthening Systems

If you suspect a text or phone call is human trafficking or digital exploitation, take action now.