Last Updated on February 1, 2020 by SCARS Editorial Team

SCARSSCARS SCARS - Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. A government registered crime victims' assistance & crime prevention nonprofit organization based in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. SCARS supports the victims of scams worldwide and through its partners in more than 60 countries around the world. Incorporated in 2015, its team has 30 years of continuous experience educating and supporting scam victims. Visit www.AgainstScams.org to learn more about SCARS.™ Guide: Human Trafficking & Its Relationship To Scamming

Human Trafficking

Many do not know that online fraudFraud In law, fraud is intentional deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain (money or other assets), or to deprive a victim of a legal right. Fraud can violate civil law (e.g., a fraud victim may sue the fraud perpetrator to avoid the fraud or recover monetary compensation) or criminal law (e.g., a fraud perpetrator may be prosecuted and imprisoned by governmental authorities), or it may cause no loss of money, property, or legal right but still be an element of another civil or criminal wrong. The purpose of fraud may be monetary gain or other benefits, for example by obtaining a passport, travel document, or driver's license, or mortgage fraud, where the perpetrator may attempt to qualify for a mortgage by way of false statements. A fraud can also be a hoax, which is a distinct concept that involves deliberate deception without the intention of gain or of materially damaging or depriving a victim. is closely related to Human Trafficking and Terrorism. The bad guys that scamScam A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost. the world help fund these activities.

The Society of Citizens Against Romance ScamsScams A Scam is a confidence trick - a crime -  is an attempt to defraud a person or group after first gaining their trust through deception. Scams or confidence tricks exploit victims using their credulity, naïveté, compassion, vanity, irresponsibility, or greed and exploiting that. Researchers have defined confidence tricks as "a distinctive species of fraudulent conduct ... intending to further voluntary exchanges that are not mutually beneficial", as they "benefit con operators ('con men' - criminals) at the expense of their victims (the 'marks')". A scam is a crime even if no money was lost. [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.

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 flashbacksFLASHBACKS A flashback is reexperiencing a previous traumatic experience as if it were actually happening in that moment. It includes reactions that often resemble the client’s reactions during the trauma. Flashback experiences are very brief and typically last only a few seconds, but the emotional aftereffects linger for hours or longer. Flashbacks are commonly initiated by a trigger, but not necessarily., 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 resources online, like this one from the National Domestic Violence Hotline, that can help. Consider also calling the NHTRC at 1-888-373-7888 to talk with an Anti-Trafficking Hotline Specialist who can help you plan ways to stay safe.

Contact the VictimConnect.org Resource Center by phone at 1-855-484-2846 or by chat for more information or assistance in locating services that can help you or a loved one who is a victim of human trafficking.

Additional Resources

• The NHTRC Referral Directory has a comprehensive map of human trafficking services across the United States.
• The Directory of Service Providers for immigrant victims of human trafficking was created by the National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project. It includes attorneys, advocates, and other legal assistance for victims.
• The Services Available to Victims of Human Trafficking Resource Guide describes the forms of assistance that may be available to trafficking victims. It was written for social service providers and released by the Department of Health and Human Services.
• The Office for Victims of Crime hosts a comprehensive website with resources for victims, providers and law enforcement.

RSN^™ Team
a division of SCARS^™
Miami Florida U.S.A.

 

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Tell us about your experiences with Romance Scammers in our Scams Discussion Forum on Facebook »

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FAQ: How Do You Properly Report Scammers?

It is essential that law enforcement knows about scams & scammers, even though there is nothing (in most cases) that they can do.

Always report scams involving money lost or where you received money to:

1. Local Police – ask them to take an “informational” police report – say you need it for your insurance
2. Your National Police or FBIFBI FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, the FBI is also a member of the U.S. Intelligence Community and reports to both the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence. A leading U.S. counter-terrorism, counterintelligence, and criminal investigative organization, the FBI has jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crimes, including financial fraud. (www.IC3.gov)
3. The Scars Worldwide Reporting Network HERE or on www.Anyscam.com

This helps your government understand the problem, and allows law enforcement to add scammers on watch lists worldwide.

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Visit our NEW Main SCARS™ News & Information Facebook page for much more information about scams and online crime: www.facebook.com/SCARS.News.And.Information

 

To learn more about SCARS visit www.AgainstScams.org

Please be sure to report all scammers HERE or on www.Anyscam.com

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