SCARS™ Guide: Human Trafficking & Its Relationship To Scamming

Human Trafficking

Many do not know that online fraud is closely related to Human Trafficking and Terrorism. The bad guys that scam the world help fund these activities.

The Society of Citizens Against Romance Scams [SCARS] does all it can to help raise awareness of this important issue. That is why we are proud to help support and be affiliated with Freedom United www.freedomunited.org Please visit their website and see what you can do!

Scams Can Lead To Trafficking

Something that is not known by most Internet Users is that Dating Websites and Social Media Platforms are the prime targets too for Human Traffickers. They use dating profiles and social media to identify and “order” specific victims for capture and then re-sale!

Sex Trafficking

Sex trafficking occurs when victims are forced, defrauded (including false promises), or coerced (including threats against the victim or family member) into performing commercial sex, OR when a person under the age of 18 engages in commercial sex. Sex trafficking may occur in a variety of locations, including strip clubs, massage establishments, delivery or escort services, brothels, hotels, truck stops, or on public streets.

Labor trafficking occurs when individuals are forced, defrauded (such as through false promises), or coerced (including threats against the victim or family members) into performing labor or services. Labor trafficking may include situations of forced labor, requiring victims to work to pay off debts, and involuntary child labor. It can happen on farms, or in bars, private residences, factories, hotels, restaurants, traveling sales crews, and peddling rings.

I am Not For Sale – Stop Human Trafficking

What is Human Trafficking?

While not all of the indicators listed below are present in every human trafficking situation, and the presence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of trafficking.

You May Be A Victim Of Human Trafficking If Someone:

Forces you to do something you don’t want to do
Does not pay you for your work or services
Does not allow you to leave your workplace or home when you want
Physically, sexually or emotionally abuses you
Controls your personal identification documents, such as a passport or ID card
Maintains locks on doors or windows preventing you from leaving
Recruited you to work with false promises regarding the nature or conditions of your work or living situation
Requires you to work excessively long or unusual hours
Denies you food, water, sleep or medical care
Limits your interaction with other people, including friends and family
Makes a profit by you being forced to perform sexual acts

If You Are Being Trafficked, You Might:

Be fearful of the controlling person and what they are capable of doing
Not be able to make medical decisions for yourself, like when you need to go to the doctor or dentist
Feel vulnerable, unsafe, or not know who to trust
Not have access to your wages or money you earn
Have had your personal documents, like a visa or birth certificate, taken from you
Not be able to take breaks during work, or work very long hours
Feel depressed, hopeless, irritable, tearful, or angry
Have flashbacks, disturbing thoughts, or feelings of isolation

What Can I do?

It can be difficult to know what to do if you have been a victim of trafficking. There are a number of resources available and you can decide which are the safest options for you:

Call 911 For Immediate Assistance – You know yourself and your situation better than anyone. Trust your instincts and call for help if you feel you are in danger.
Contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center – The NHTRC operates a 24-hour hotline at 1-888-373-788 or text BeFree (233733) to talk about your needs, your options, and the resources they have available to help you.
Contact the National Runaway Safeline – If you are a teen and in need of confidential help and assistance, call 1-800-786-2929 or text 66008.
Develop a Safety Plan – A personalized safety plan can help you identify ways to stay safe in your situation, if you are planning to leave, or after you leave. There are many