The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised the alarm over the growing sophistication of human trafficking networks, warning that thousands of young people are being deceived, trafficked and forced into cybercrime operations disguised as employment opportunities.
The agency said the emerging trend, driven by technology and online recruitment platforms, has transformed human trafficking from its traditional forms of sexual exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude into a digital-age crime where victims are held captive in illegal “fraud factories” across the world.
The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, issued the warning on Wednesday, 22 July, 2026, during a press conference ahead of the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons commemoration in Nigeria.
She said this year’s global theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam,” captures the dangerous reality of victims forced into online fraud schemes after being lured with fake promises of lucrative jobs abroad.
According to her, many young Nigerians, particularly educated youths with digital skills, are targeted by criminal syndicates offering opportunities in information technology, digital marketing, customer service, cryptocurrency trading and other online professions.
“Upon arrival in foreign countries, especially parts of Asia, they discover that the promised jobs do not exist. Their passports are confiscated, their freedom restricted, and they are forced through threats, violence, intimidation or psychological coercion to carry out sophisticated online scams,” Bello said.
She explained that victims become prisoners behind computer screens, compelled to commit crimes against unsuspecting individuals worldwide while their traffickers profit from the proceeds.
The NAPTIP boss disclosed that more than 300,000 people are trafficked annually into scam operations across Southeast Asia, generating an estimated $64 billion in criminal revenue.
She identified countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos as major locations where large-scale scam compounds operate, adding that similar criminal structures are beginning to emerge in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
Bello said traffickers now exploit social media platforms, encrypted messaging applications, online recruitment portals, cryptocurrency systems and artificial intelligence tools to identify, recruit and control victims.
She described the recruitment process as a carefully organised criminal operation involving fake online job advertisements, digital grooming, fraudulent travel arrangements and eventual exploitation at scam centres.
“Recruiters create fake identities on social platforms, build trust with victims, arrange travel and upon arrival at the destination, passports are seized. Victims are then forced to engage in romance scams, investment fraud and cryptocurrency-related crimes,” she said.
She revealed that some victims who fail to meet criminal targets are subjected to torture, sexual violence, solitary confinement and other forms of brutal punishment.
The Director-General disclosed that NAPTIP rescued and repatriated more than 300 victims of cyber-enabled human trafficking from neighbouring countries, including Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, in 2025.
She added that 156 victims have already been rescued since January 2026, with support from international partners, including organisations assisting victims trapped in Myanmar.
Bello further disclosed that the agency’s Cyber Response Team has disrupted several emerging scam training centres in Nigeria linked to activities popularly known as “Yahoo Plus,” “Yahoo Extra” and “Hustle Kingdom.”
According to her, some suspects involved in financially motivated extortion, sexual extortion and revenge pornography have been arrested and are currently facing prosecution.
She warned that the consequences of cyber-enabled trafficking extend beyond individual victims, affecting families, communities and Nigeria’s international reputation.
“Families lose contact with their loved ones. Parents spend their savings pursuing fake employment opportunities, while communities suffer the social and economic consequences of irregular migration,” she said.
Bello reaffirmed NAPTIP’s commitment to dismantling trafficking networks through intelligence-led investigations, prosecution and international cooperation.
She disclosed that the agency has secured the conviction of 839 traffickers since its establishment, including 47 convictions recorded from January 2026 to date.
She said the agency recently secured the conviction of a high-profile trafficker and his wife in Ondo State, with properties worth millions of naira forfeited to the government.
The NAPTIP chief said the agency would continue to strengthen cyber intelligence, expand international partnerships and deploy technology-driven strategies to identify criminal networks and rescue victims.
Issuing a stern warning to human traffickers, Bello said the era of operating without consequences was coming to an end.
“The days when traffickers operated with impunity are rapidly coming to an end. NAPTIP will continue to turn up the heat on traffickers until Nigeria becomes an increasingly hostile environment for every trafficking syndicate,” she said.
She urged young Nigerians to verify overseas job opportunities, avoid unofficial recruitment channels and report suspicious offers to relevant authorities.
As part of activities marking the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP announced a series of programmes including public sensitisation campaigns, awareness walks, survivor support activities and community engagements across Nigeria.
Bello called on Nigerians, government institutions, civil society organisations and international partners to strengthen collaboration in preventing trafficking, protecting survivors and ensuring that criminal networks profiting from human exploitation are brought to justice.
“Together, through vigilance, partnership, compassion and innovation, we can ensure that no one remains trapped behind the scam,” she said.
