Scam farms target Fiji and Pacific region, says Watson

Human trafficking victims are being lured to carry out illegal activities to generate income for criminal syndicates.  

Matthew Watson, Regional Advisor for Transnational Organised Crimes and Cybercrimes at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, disclosed this during a recent human trafficking panel discussion. 

Mr Watson reiterated that Pacific Island nations faced risks of being trafficked to commit online fraud and financial crimes, which has become common in Southeast Asia.  

"We're seeing evidence of Pacific Islanders being caught up in the temptation of overseas jobs and human trafficking," Mr Watson said, while referencing a raid that helped 2000 victims of a scam centre in the Philippines return home, some of whom were from the Marshall Islands.  

"In 2017, Fiji had a scam centre that was busted, as did Palau in 2020, so it's a problem that we're starting to face here." 

Legislation and data coordination, Mr Watson pointed out, needs to be strengthened to combat the growing threat of scamming operations in the region. 

"We are struggling with coordinating data," he said. "We need to collaborate more on a regional level to understand what available data there is and where the gaps are." 

Local authorities believe not enough action is being taken to undermine organised crime groups' primary motivator - profit. 

"Following the money, dismantling financial flows, and freezing criminal assets are areas that remain under-prioritised," said permanent secretary for the Ministry of Immigration, Aliki Salusalu. 

"We must confront corruption head-on - trafficking syndicates depend on it to function. Bribing officials, compromised institutions, and weakened systems enable this crime to thrive. 

"We must also address the demand for cheap, exploitable labour and services that fuel the trafficking economy. Without addressing the demand, we cannot cut off the supply line."

Feedback: jernese.macanawai@fijisun.com.fj