Bi-Directional Exploitation of Human Trafficking Victims: Both Targets and Perpetrators in Cybercrime

ABSTRACT

The article investigates cyber-trafficking, scrutinizing the utilization of cyberspace in generating victims of trafficking. Concurrently, it delves into the methods employed to induce trafficked individuals to participate in cyber-scams and underscores how the gains from these scams are subsequently used to fund and orchestrate sophisticated transnational organized crimes. Consequently, the article discusses the emerging bidirectional relationship between cybercrime and human trafficking, representing a significant trend within organized crime by illustrating a dynamic interaction where cybercrimes are committed to facilitate human trafficking, and conversely, the trafficking of individuals becomes a means to execute cybercriminal activities. The discussion further explores the critical intersections between cybercrime and human trafficking, contributing to a substantial increase in the number of victims of both cybercrime and trafficking. A notable aspect emphasized is the shift in human trafficking targets, expanding beyond traditional demographics to include individuals, especially men with technical education. This departure from the historical focus on women and children underscores the adaptability of traffickers in leveraging the skills of a new demographic. Furthermore, it evaluates the actions taken by international governmental bodies and policymakers to address this ongoing issue and discusses additional measures that could be implemented. The article aims to offer valuable insights for policymakers, law enforcement professionals, and researchers grappling with the intricacies of this evolving nexus and, therefore, advocates for an intensified focus on research in this field and urges collaborative efforts to proactively address the issue before it surpasses current capabilities.

KEYWORDS:

• Cyber-trafficking
• cyber-enabled trafficking
• cyber-enabled crime
• forced criminality, cybercrime
• human trafficking

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.