The Cyber Human Trafficking Edition

Colin here. We’re all familiar with online, phone, and text-based scams. Most of them are easy to spot, but not a lot of thought goes into the human on the other end of the equation. That’s because our mind first jumps to economic motives—scammers looking for a leg up in a situation where it is hard to have a job. But increasingly, the scammers are being coerced to do the job against their will. 

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There has been a new, particularly dystopian twist to human trafficking, where vulnerable people looking for work in Asia are promised good wages upon relocation. Tens of thousands of people have been lured to casinos and resorts in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. Rather than having a legitimate job, they are forced into illegal gambling or online scamming outfits. 

The Economist goes into detail, outlining how one victim, Bilce Tan, had to work against his will:

…Mr Tan was furnished with fake social-media accounts, ten mobile phones, a list of targets and information about their assets, relationships and education, as well as scripts tailored to different types of prey. His handlers taught him how to win over vulnerable people like pensioners and single parents by chatting with them every day.

His trainers also supplied him with photos and videos to support the back stories of his many personas. Once the mark’s trust had been gained, the real scam began. Rather than asking for money directly, as in a traditional sting, he urged the victim to deposit cryptocurrencies in an investment platform manipulated by the criminals. The sums involved grew bigger and bigger. Often the mark would, at first, be able to make small withdrawals. Satisfied that the platform was legitimate, the target would deposit ever more. Then, one day, the invented persona would disappear, leaving behind a baffled and broke victim. (Mr Tan claims he never managed to con anyone.)

Why is this interesting? 

International criminal syndicates are chasing margin. Turns out human trafficking, drug sales, and other illicit activities are great businesses relative to running a normal P&L. In this case, the culprits are apparently often Chinese gangs, operating in specific netherworlds where the rule of law is lax. These include special economic zones peppered throughout Indonesia, and also in Myanmar. According to the Economist piece, “the syndicates employ between 80,000 and 100,000 foreigners…Most are deceived into travelling to Cambodia.”

Older versions of human trafficking relied on sex as currency, offering an endless amount of economically disadvantaged women and men to be exploited. In this case, the currency is just enough digital savvy and training to be dangerous. In order to do their cons, they need an understanding of computers, ideally English or local languages, and enough training in social engineering to be effective. It is a frightening new variant of reprehensible activities that have sadly occurred for thousands of years. (CJN)

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Thanks for reading,

Noah (NRB) & Colin (CJN)

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