Freedom Collaborative contributed frontline and survivor-informed perspectives to the recent annual conference hosted by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, which brought together practitioners, researchers, and civil society organizations working on organized crime worldwide. Through participation in two sessions focused on trafficking for forced criminality and survivor experiences, Freedom Collaborative helped highlight the gap between growing global attention on cyber-scam trafficking and the limited support available to those who leave these operations.
Cross-border collaboration amid a rapidly evolving crime
In the first session, Freedom Collaborative joined long-time colleagues and partners to examine the growth of forced online scamming across Southeast Asia and other regions. The discussion underscored how rapidly the issue has evolved and the extent to which it now affects communities far beyond the region. Speakers emphasized that meaningful progress depends on sustained cross-border and cross-sector collaboration, as well as shared platforms for coordination and intelligence exchange.
Frontline pressure at the Thai–Myanmar border
Frontline insights from the Thai–Myanmar border illustrated the scale of the challenge. More than 7,000 individuals have been screened this year after leaving scam compounds in Myawaddy, representing up to 77 nationalities. Screening teams often process between 60 and 400 people per day, leaving little time for in-depth interviews or tailored assessments. Civil society organizations continue to carry much of the operational burden, including providing interpreters, covering basic needs, and raising funds for repatriation flights when governments are unable to support their nationals.
Complex experiences challenge existing frameworks
Speakers noted that individuals arriving at the border frequently have overlapping experiences of deception, coercion, and forced involvement in illicit activities. Some were lured by false job offers, others were forced to conduct online fraud under threat, and some were pressured into roles involving oversight or recruitment. These varied trajectories complicate traditional distinctions between victims and perpetrators, and current identification systems, particularly under high-volume and time-limited conditions, struggle to reflect this complexity.
Consequences for protection and return
This misalignment has practical consequences. Many individuals prioritize returning home as quickly as possible rather than entering legal processes that may extend their stay in shelters. Practitioners highlighted that return does not always resolve vulnerability, noting cases where survivors face limited assistance, inconsistent follow-up, or legal repercussions upon arrival. The risk of re-trafficking remains high, especially where social, economic, or family pressures are severe and the sense of safety after escape is fragile.
Civil society organizations also acknowledged growing strain in fundraising and service provision for individuals who do not fit neatly into established victim categories. Speakers emphasized that humanitarian needs cannot be determined solely through rigid classifications, and that people in ambiguous situations often face the greatest barriers to protection.
Survivor perspectives on recovery
The survivor panel reinforced the need for holistic support systems. Participants described long and uncertain periods in temporary camps inside Myanmar controlled by armed actors, the stress of navigating screening processes, and the challenges of returning to home environments that may lack stability or safety. Their testimonies highlighted that recovery is shaped not only by experiences inside scam compounds, but also by the circumstances individuals face after exit.
Systems lag behind awareness
Across both sessions, a consistent message emerged. While awareness of trafficking for forced criminality is increasing, the human impact continues to receive insufficient attention. Enforcement actions and policy discussions are advancing at regional levels, yet the systems people encounter once they escape have not adapted to the scale, diversity, or nature of this form of exploitation.
As emphasized throughout the conference, addressing these gaps will require improved identification processes, stronger cross-border coordination, and more reliable post-return pathways that recognize the complexity of survivors’ experiences and the risks they face. Without these efforts, individuals leaving cyber-scam compounds will continue to bear the greatest burden of a transnational crime challenge that remains ahead of existing response systems.
