March 13, 2026 | 05:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with Yayasan Integritas Justitia Madani Indonesia (IJMI), launched the #TrappedInScamCrime campaign in Jakarta on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Supported by the U.S. Embassy and Meta, the initiative aims to raise awareness about human trafficking linked to online scam operations and forced criminality.
The campaign unites government bodies, civil society, universities, and private sector partners to address a predatory form of exploitation increasingly targeting Southeast Asian youth. Across the region, criminal syndicates leverage deceptive online job ads, promising lucrative overseas or remote digital roles to lure victims.
Once recruited, many victims are trafficked into isolated scam compounds and coerced into executing online fraud, including romance scams, investment schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud. These operations are typically enforced through violence, confinement, and debt bondage, creating a harrowing environment where the line between victim and perpetrator often becomes blurred.
During the launch, Zoelda Anderton, Deputy Head of the UNODC Programme Office in Indonesia, emphasized the necessity of proactive prevention. "Trafficking for forced criminality in scam operations is a growing and complex crime that increasingly takes place in the digital space," Anderton said. She noted that prevention must begin with awareness, particularly among young people who are primary targets for deceptive recruitment.
The event featured a diverse assembly of international partners and government officials. Discussions included participation from Meta Indonesia, underscoring the vital role technology companies play in curbing online exploitation. A dedicated panel of experts examined the specific recruitment patterns used by criminal networks and the immense challenges victims face when attempting to escape these digital traps.
Abie Sancaya, UNODC Indonesia’s Programme Officer for Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, highlighted the dual role of the younger generation. While they are frequently targeted by fraudulent offers, Sancaya argued they are also "powerful voices" for change.
"Through this campaign, we hope to equip young people with the knowledge to recognize these risks and to share information within their communities," Sancaya explained.
The launch concluded with the introduction of a Digital Pledge. The initiative invites the public to move beyond passive awareness by committing to sharing campaign messages and advocating for safer online practices. Comprehensive resources on identifying deceptive recruitment tactics are now available on the official UNODC website.
Read: Human Trafficking is Not for Theatrics
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