UNODC Urges Stronger Global Action Against Human Trafficking as Online Scam Networks Expand
Oru Leonard
Abuja, Nigeria — The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has called for intensified national, regional and international collaboration to combat the growing link between human trafficking and cyber-enabled fraud, warning that organized criminal networks are increasingly exploiting vulnerable people through online recruitment and scam operations.
Speaking at the commemoration of the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in Abuja, the UNODC Country Representative stressed that this year’s global theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam,” highlights a disturbing trend in which victims are deceived with promises of jobs, education, travel and better opportunities, only to be trafficked and forced to participate in online fraud schemes.
Addressing the Attorney General of the Federation, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society organizations, development partners and the media, the UNODC representative said the world must recognize that behind many online scams are victims of human trafficking compelled to commit crimes under coercion.
According to UNODC, victims are often recruited through social media, online advertisements and trusted intermediaries before being transported to scam compounds where their passports are confiscated, movements restricted and they are forced to carry out romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud and other cyber-enabled crimes under threats and violence.
The organization noted that the evolving crime has created a dangerous convergence between trafficking in persons, cybercrime, money laundering, corruption and transnational organized crime, making stronger international cooperation indispensable.
UNODC emphasized that as the guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, it remains committed to helping countries strengthen legislation, investigations, prosecutions, victim protection and cross-border cooperation.
The agency also urged authorities to adopt a victim-centred and trauma-informed approach, stressing that individuals compelled to engage in online fraud may themselves be victims of trafficking and should be properly screened before being treated as offenders.
Highlighting recent findings, UNODC said its Nigeria Country Report on Trafficking in Persons 2025, based on consultations across 21 states, revealed increasing use of digital platforms by traffickers to exploit migration aspirations and economic hardship through deceptive offers of employment and business opportunities.
The organization further disclosed that discussions held during this year’s Embassy Liaison Meeting jointly organized with NAPTIP showed that while Nigerians are increasingly being trafficked to scam compounds abroad, similar models of forced online fraud are beginning to emerge within Nigeria.
UNODC announced that on April 30, 2026, it supported NAPTIP and the Nigeria Immigration Service in establishing a Joint Operational Task Force under the European Union-funded Promoting Action and Cooperation among Countries at Global Level against Trafficking in Human Beings and the Smuggling of Migrants (PACTS) project.
The Task Force is expected to coordinate intelligence-led investigations, preserve digital evidence, conduct parallel financial investigations, identify victims and strengthen cross-border cooperation against trafficking networks.
Looking ahead, UNODC outlined five priority areas for action: strengthening victim identification and protection; fully operationalizing the Joint Task Force; enhancing digital and financial investigations to dismantle criminal networks; expanding regional and international cooperation; and intensifying prevention efforts through awareness campaigns, youth empowerment and improved economic opportunities.
The organization reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with NAPTIP, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigeria Police Force, INTERPOL, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), civil society organizations and international partners to combat trafficking in persons.
UNODC also expressed appreciation to donor partners, including the European Union, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Government of Switzerland and the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund, for supporting Nigeria’s efforts to tackle human trafficking and related organized crime.
It concluded with a call for sustained partnerships to dismantle criminal networks, protect victims, prosecute traffickers and ensure that technology is used to advance human dignity rather than exploitation.
