From David Onuoja Abuja
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and the British High Commission in Abuja, have partnered to raise awareness about the growing threat of human trafficking into cyber-enabled scam operations in Southeast Asia.
A recent event, which is “Confronting the Global Scam Centre Crisis: Perspectives of Nigerian Survivors,” brought together repatriated Nigerian nationals who shared their harrowing experiences of being deceived with fake job offers and trafficked to countries like Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand.
Many of these survivors were coerced into conducting sophisticated cyber-fraud schemes under exploitative and abusive conditions.
According to the UN OHCHR’s 2026 report “A Wicked Problem,” at least 120,000 people are currently being held in forced scam operations inside Myanmar, with the total rising to over 300,000 across Southeast Asia. The report also states that 74% of known victims trafficked into scam centers worldwide were taken to Southeast Asia between 2020 and 2025.
Related News
The event provided a platform for survivors to share their stories, highlighting the brutal reality of trafficking into scam centers. One survivor recounted being promised a good job and a better life, only to be trapped and forced to work against their will. “I am sharing my story so that other Nigerians can recognize the warning signs and protect themselves,” they said.
NAPTIP and the UK government are working together to ensure survivors receive trauma-informed care and safe repatriation. “The UK is working closely with NAPTIP, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EDEN, and IOM to ensure survivors receive the support they need,” said Gill Lever, UK Deputy High Commissioner to Abuja.
