By Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE United Kingdom and the Federal Government of Nigeria have issued a joint warning to citizens, urging them to thoroughly scrutinise overseas job offers amid a surge in cyber-trafficking that is putting lives at risk.
The alert was delivered on Monday in Abuja at a survivor-centred event titled “Confronting the Global Scam Centre Crisis: Perspectives of Nigerian Survivors.” The gathering was organised by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in collaboration with the British High Commission.
The event brought together recently repatriated Nigerians who had been trafficked to Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. Many were forced to work in sophisticated online fraud operations under exploitative and brutal conditions.
The UK Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Gill Lever OBE, said the primary aim was to listen to survivors who had shown immense courage in sharing their ordeals. She noted that the UK is working closely with NAPTIP, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EDEN, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to ensure survivors receive trauma-informed care and safe repatriation.
She stressed that their bravery would serve as a crucial tool in preventing others from falling into the same trap, adding that the UK stands resolute with Nigeria and its African Commonwealth partners in tackling this fast-evolving threat.
Highlighting the global scale of the crisis, she stated: “This is not just a regional issue; it is a global security challenge and a direct threat to UK and Nigerian citizens. Scam centres across Southeast Asia defraud innocent people of over $64 billion annually.
“British people lost an estimated £11.4 billion to scams in 2024, with UK SIM cards and UK-labelled compounds found in raids. When African Commonwealth nationals are trafficked into these criminal hubs, everyone loses — Nigeria’s citizens are harmed, our citizens are defrauded, and criminals profit.”
According to a 2026 report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) titled “A Wicked Problem,” at least 120,000 people are being held in scam operations in Myanmar, with more than 300,000 victims across Southeast Asia from at least 66 countries. Between 2020 and 2025, roughly 74 per cent of victims trafficked into scam centres globally were lured to the region with promises of high-paying jobs.
NAPTIP’s Director of Public Enlightenment, Mrs Kehinde Akomolafe, who represented Director-General Binta Adamu Bello, said the survivors’ testimonies lay bare the grim reality of trafficking into these scam centres.
“The courage these survivors have shown in sharing their stories is remarkable. Their experiences reveal a crime that strips people of dignity and freedom. NAPTIP remains committed to protecting Nigerian citizens from this growing threat and appreciates the steadfast support of our partners in helping survivors heal and rebuild their lives,” she said.
Survivors recounted being deceived by fake job offers, having their passports confiscated, and being forced into cybercrime operations under constant threats and intimidation.
One survivor said: “I was promised a good job and a chance for a better life. Instead, I was trapped and forced to do things that went against everything I believe in, while living in constant fear. I am sharing my story so other Nigerians can recognise the warning signs and protect themselves.”
Authorities have stressed the urgent need for intelligence sharing, stronger law enforcement cooperation, public awareness campaigns, and survivor-centred support systems to prevent further exploitation.
The UK and NAPTIP advised Nigerians to verify overseas job offers, warning that legitimate employers do not recruit solely through social media, demand upfront payments, or use tourist visas for employment purposes.
What's your reaction?
