UNODC: Youth Unemployment Fueling Human Trafficking as Criminals Exploit Digital Platforms

By: Michael Mike

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has warned that rising youth unemployment and the increasing misuse of digital technologies are creating fertile ground for human traffickers, urging Nigeria to combine stronger law enforcement with sustained investment in jobs, skills development and economic opportunities for young people.

Speaking at the pre-World Day Against Trafficking in Persons press conference held at the headquarters of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Abuja on Wednesday, the UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure, said trafficking networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated by using social media, online recruitment platforms and fake employment opportunities to lure unsuspecting victims.

The press conference formally launched activities leading to the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed globally on July 30, under the theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam.”

Toure described the campaign theme as a timely reminder that many people involved in online scam operations are themselves victims of trafficking who were deceived with promises of legitimate employment or opportunities abroad before being subjected to coercion, intimidation, forced labour and other forms of exploitation.

He said the global campaign seeks to expose the hidden human suffering behind cyber-enabled crimes and encourage governments and citizens to look beyond the apparent criminal activity to identify and protect victims.

According to him, criminal organisations are increasingly exploiting digital technologies to target vulnerable groups, particularly young people searching for employment and better economic prospects.

“What begins as the promise of legitimate employment can, in a matter of days, become a descent into forced labour, forced criminality, or other grave forms of trafficking and exploitation,” he warned.

The UNODC representative stressed that trafficking continues to flourish where legitimate economic opportunities are lacking, arguing that many unemployed young people become easy targets for traffickers offering false promises of jobs overseas.

He said tackling the crime effectively requires more than arrests and prosecutions, insisting that governments must prioritise youth empowerment, vocational training, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth.

“If we are to be honest with ourselves, we must acknowledge that trafficking thrives where legitimate opportunity is scarce,” Toure said, adding that every new job created and every skill acquired reduces the chances of traffickers exploiting vulnerable young people.

He described investment in youth as not only a development priority but also a frontline strategy for preventing human trafficking.

Toure noted that trafficking remains one of the gravest violations of human rights, affecting women, men and children while strengthening organised criminal networks and undermining national development.

He outlined four key priorities for combating the menace, including strengthening public awareness to expose deceptive recruitment practices and online scams, improving the identification and protection of victims, intensifying investigations and prosecution of trafficking syndicates, and expanding collaboration among governments, law enforcement agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, technology companies, community leaders and the media.

He also urged authorities to ensure that individuals forced into criminal activities through trafficking are recognised first as victims deserving protection and rehabilitation rather than immediate criminalisation.

Reaffirming UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria, Toure said the organisation would continue assisting efforts aimed at preventing trafficking, protecting survivors and strengthening criminal justice systems in line with international standards.

He added that the agency would also continue supporting initiatives that expand educational opportunities, improve youth employability and address the socio-economic conditions that make trafficking possible.

Highlighting activities planned for the 2026 campaign, Toure said awareness walks, a novelty football match and the main World Day Against Trafficking in Persons commemoration on July 30 would serve as platforms to mobilise public support against trafficking.

He commended the media for its critical role in exposing trafficking networks, raising public awareness and promoting survivor-centred reporting that protects the dignity and privacy of victims.

Toure urged journalists to continue highlighting recruitment scams and other trafficking tactics while avoiding reports that could further traumatise survivors.

He concluded by calling on governments, international organisations, civil society, the private sector and citizens to strengthen collective action against trafficking, stressing that behind many online scams are victims in need of protection, justice and support.

According to him, only sustained collaboration and meaningful investment in the future of young people will enable countries to prevent exploitation, dismantle trafficking networks and ensure that no one remains trapped by deception, coercion or exploitation.

Human trafficking remains one of the world’s fastest-growing organised crimes, generating billions of dollars annually for criminal syndicates. In recent years, authorities have recorded an increasing convergence between trafficking in persons and cyber-enabled fraud, with victims trafficked across borders and forced to participate in online scams under threats, violence and inhumane conditions. The 2026 global campaign seeks to draw international attention to this emerging trend while strengthening efforts to identify victims, prosecute traffickers and reduce vulnerabilities through prevention and economic empowerment.

UNODC: Youth Unemployment Fueling Human Trafficking as Criminals Exploit Digital Platforms