The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), in collaboration with the British High Commission in Abuja, has alerted Nigerians about the rising threat of global job recruitment schemes funneling victims into cyber‑enabled scam operations across Southeast Asia.
At a landmark survivor‑centred event held on Monday in Abuja, titled “Confronting the Global Scam Centre Crisis: Perspectives of Nigerian Survivors,” twenty-three recently rescued Nigerians recounted their ordeals, reports The Nation.
The survivors had been lured with fraudulent job offers and trafficked to countries including Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, where they were coerced into sophisticated cyber-fraud activities under exploitative conditions.
The rescues were made possible through coordinated efforts between NAPTIP, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok, and the British NGO EDEN. Operations included on‑the‑ground triangulation at the Thai–Myanmar border and welfare interventions at Bangkok’s Immigration Detention Centre (IDC), culminating in the safe return of the 23 survivors earlier this month.
According to the UN OHCHR’s 2026 report “A Wicked Problem,” at least 120,000 people are estimated to be held in forced scam operations in Myanmar alone, with the total across Southeast Asia exceeding 300,000. Victims originate from over 66 countries, with 74% of known trafficked individuals between 2020 and 2025 sent to Southeast Asia after being promised high-paying jobs.
Gill Lever OBE, UK Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, praised the courage of the survivors and reiterated the UK’s support, stating, “We are here today to listen to survivors who have shown remarkable bravery in sharing their experiences.
The UK is working closely with NAPTIP, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EDEN, and IOM to ensure survivors receive trauma-informed care and safe repatriation. Their courage will help prevent others from being harmed, and we stand firmly with Nigeria and all African Commonwealth partners in confronting this rapidly evolving threat.”
Representing the Director-General of NAPTIP, Mrs. Kehinde Akomolafe, Director of Public Enlightenment, lauded the survivors’ bravery and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding Nigerians from exploitation.
She said, “The courage these survivors have shown in sharing their stories is remarkable. Their experiences expose the brutal reality of trafficking into scam centres, a crime that strips people of their dignity and freedom. NAPTIP is committed to protecting Nigerian citizens from this growing threat and grateful for the steadfast support from our partners in ensuring survivors receive the comprehensive support they need to heal and rebuild their lives.”
One survivor recounted, “I was promised opportunity, a good job, and a chance for a better life. Instead, I was trapped and forced to do things that went against everything I believe in, while living in constant fear. I am sharing my story so that other Nigerians can recognise the warning signs and protect themselves. No one should have to endure what we experienced.”
