The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) reports that over 300,000 individuals are forced into Southeast Asian online scam centers each year. These criminal networks generate approximately $64 billion in illicit revenue. Director-General Binta Adamu Bello announced these figures during a briefing for the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
Victims originate from 66 nations, with many being skilled young Nigerians targeted through fraudulent job offers in fields like technology and cryptocurrency. Once moved to locations such as Myanmar or Cambodia, victims face document confiscation and violence, forcing them to participate in various digital fraud operations. To combat this, NAPTIP has intensified awareness, dismantled local cyber-fraud training hubs, and successfully prosecuted numerous traffickers.
Since 2025, NAPTIP has rescued over 450 victims from cyber-trafficking rings. Furthermore, the agency has secured 839 convictions since its founding, including 47 in the first half of 2026. The agency continues to implement the National Strategy for Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Persons (2025–2027) while urging citizens to exercise extreme caution regarding overseas employment claims.