Challenges in tackling forced criminality

ONE of the fastest growing forms of human trafficking in South-East Asia over the past three years is trafficking for forced criminality. This involves the coercion and deception of individuals into large-scale financial fraud operations, often linked to cybercrimes such as online scams, extortion and money laundering.

Victims are often forced to become online scammers, drug couriers or money mules, or are coerced into acts of terrorism or activities that facilitate terrorism.