As deceptive overseas job offers increasingly fuel trafficking into cyber-scam centers, prevention starts with helping people recognize the warning signs. Freedom Collaborative worked with the Regional Support Office of the Bali Process (RSO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and civil society partners to ensure What the Job Ad Isn't Showing You reflects survivor experiences and frontline expertise, providing practical guidance to support safer migration decisions.
Responding to evolving recruitment tactics
Criminal networks increasingly rely on misleading online job advertisements, social media, messaging apps, and personal referrals to recruit people with promises of well-paid work abroad. What appears to be a legitimate employment opportunity can quickly become a situation of trafficking for forced criminality in cyber-scam centers.
Rather than relying on awareness alone, the campaign provides practical tools that encourage people to verify job offers, ask critical questions, and seek trusted information before accepting overseas employment.
Grounding prevention in frontline and survivor expertise
Freedom Collaborative worked with civil society organizations across South Asia and East Africa to ensure the campaign reflects the recruitment tactics they encounter through their frontline work, alongside insights from survivors of trafficking. This collaborative approach helped shape messaging that is relevant, practical, and grounded in the lived realities of affected communities.
At the centre of the campaign is the animated short film Why I Kissed the Ground, which follows a survivor's journey from recruitment through exploitation, rescue, and return home. Complementing the film is a suite of prevention resources, including infographics, social media content, and practical guidance on identifying recruitment red flags.
Supporting informed migration decisions
The campaign directs audiences to a dedicated website where they can access practical information on staying safe when considering overseas employment, recognising deceptive recruitment practices, and finding trusted sources of advice and support. Country-specific support information and multilingual resources help ensure people can access assistance before departure or while overseas.
Explore the campaign and access the full suite of prevention resources.
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