Online scam centres are increasingly contributing to human trafficking around the world, according to a warning from a United Nations agency.
The agency says criminal groups are using online platforms to recruit people with promises of well-paid jobs, only to traffic them to scam compounds where they are forced to carry out fraudulent activities.
Many victims are reportedly subjected to threats, violence, confinement and other forms of abuse. Some are forced to work long hours operating online scams, while those who refuse may face punishment or further exploitation.
The problem has become particularly serious in parts of Southeast Asia, where organised criminal networks operate large scam compounds. However, the UN agency warns that the phenomenon is spreading to other parts of the world as criminal groups develop new methods of recruiting and exploiting victims.
Young people and people seeking employment are considered particularly vulnerable because traffickers often use social media, messaging applications and fake job advertisements to attract them.
The UN agency is calling on governments and technology companies to strengthen efforts to identify trafficking networks, protect victims and prevent online platforms from being used to recruit people into forced labour.
The warning highlights how online fraud and human trafficking are becoming increasingly connected, making international cooperation essential to combat criminal networks and protect vulnerable people.