Scam compounds operate across borders because recruitment, movement, coercion, digital payments and victims’ home countries often fall under different authorities. The IOM’s warning shows why a purely consumer-fraud response is incomplete. Some people who appear to be participating in online crime may themselves have been trafficked and forced to work under violence or threats.\n\nFake job offers increasingly target educated applicants and people with language skills. Once inside a compound, workers can lose documents and freedom of movement. Returning survivors may need medical care, legal assistance and help rebuilding livelihoods, not simply questioning as suspects.\n\nGovernments and technology companies have to close the recruitment and financial channels while protecting victims’ rights. Global Talks will treat the issue as organised crime, labour exploitation and digital security at the same time.
The scam-centre economy exploits gaps between countries
