The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has rescued and repatriated 23 Nigerian youths trafficked to Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries for forced cybercrime, revealing a dangerous new dimension in human trafficking.
The repatriated victims were lured with promises of scholarships and lucrative jobs, only to be trafficked to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, where they were compelled to engage in romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and fake investment schemes.
According to NAPTIP’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Vincent Adekoya, the rescue operation was carried out in collaboration with Eden (Myanmar), with support from the British Government and the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok.
Speaking on the operation, NAPTIP Director-General Binta Bello described the development as “disturbing” and a clear shift in traffickers’ tactics.
“This is a new dimension of the human trafficking phenomenon that targets vibrant and intelligent Nigerians. The traffickers go after boys and girls who have one skill or the other, preferably computer and IT skills, and those who do not drink alcohol or smoke. They promise them scholarships and gainful employment,” Bello stated.
She disclosed that victims were forced to target individuals and organisations in the United States, United Kingdom, Ethiopia, and Canada for various online scams. They were accommodated in hostels, provided with gadgets, and monitored by mafia members who tortured those who failed to meet daily targets.
“While a few who refused to cooperate were tortured to death inside the horror chamber called ‘the dark room,’ others had their organs harvested, especially the younger ones with no history of smoking,” Bello revealed.
The victims were enrolled in language schools, trained in scamming methods, and in some cases graduated as translators to pose as customer care agents.
Bello warned Nigerians, particularly young job seekers, to exercise extreme caution regarding overseas scholarship and employment offers. She said NAPTIP has reactivated its connections to dislodge the trafficking syndicate and arrest the ringleaders.
