Behind every intercept is a person—someone’s child, friend, or sibling—just one decision away from exploitation.
These five real stories come straight from the field, where our teams work around the clock to identify and protect vulnerable individuals from human trafficking. Each one is a powerful reminder of why this work matters and how your support helps stop trafficking before it starts.
Last month, our teams around the world intercepted 2,998 people to keep them from being trafficked—a record number. These are some of their stories.
Kenya: 15-Year-Old Girl Held for Two Days Against Her Will
A woman named Wanjiku* lured 15-year-old Akinyi* into a dangerous situation, promising her a job at a massage parlor in Mombasa. The offer came with a tempting salary of Ksh 48,000 (about $315 USD)—double what most jobs of that kind typically pay. Trusting the opportunity, Akinyi left her village and traveled with Wanjiku to Mombasa.
But once they arrived, the reality was far different from what Akinyi had been promised. She was taken to a house she didn’t recognize and was ordered not to leave. After two days, she discovered that she was being prepared to travel to Saudi Arabia against her will. Terrified, she saw no other option but to escape.
She fled to a transit station, where monitors were working. They saw that she was alone, confused, and clearly vulnerable. When approached, Akinyi shared what had happened. Recognizing the signs of trafficking and understanding the serious risk of re-trafficking, especially given her age and isolation, the staff intervened immediately.
They ensured her safety, educated her about the dangers of human trafficking, and coordinated the next steps to support her recovery. Because she was a minor who had been transported and harbored through deceit, the case was referred for further investigation and protection.
Liberia: Man Intercepted Before Falling Victim to Job Scam and Trafficking
In Liberia, a 34-year-old man named Joseph* was intercepted just in time by monitors trained to prevent human trafficking. Joseph, unemployed and seeking opportunity, had been lured from his rural village by a man named Emmanuel* who claimed to be a professional photographer. The two had met months earlier at a wedding in Joseph’s community.
Emmanuel promised Joseph a job in Monrovia with a monthly salary of $375 USD—well above the average for such work—and even offered to pay for his transportation. Desperate for income and a new start, Joseph traveled to the city without telling his family. Although he claimed the trip would be brief, he packed large bags—one of several signs that raised concern.
Upon arrival at a busy parking lot in Monrovia, Joseph met with Emmanuel, who then stepped away under the pretense of making a purchase. He never returned.
Love Justice monitors stationed at the transit hub noticed Joseph’s anxious demeanor and approached him for questioning. They quickly identified multiple red flags: Joseph had no money, no confirmed job details, no accommodations, and no verifiable contact for his supposed employer.
Joseph eventually shared Emmanuel’s phone number, but after multiple failed attempts to reach him, it became clear that he had been deceived. The monitors educated Joseph about the tactics traffickers use—like false job offers and promises of high pay—to exploit vulnerable individuals.
They also contacted Joseph’s wife, who was alarmed to hear of his situation and asked the team to help bring him home safely. Thanks to their timely intervention, Joseph was protected from potential labor trafficking and safely returned to his village.
Ethiopia: Three Young Adults Intercepted Before Being Trafficked to Europe
In Ethiopia, three young people—Hana* (24), Lemlem* (22), and Bereket* (23)—were intercepted before falling victim to a dangerous international human trafficking scheme. Lured by the promise of domestic and construction jobs in Europe, they left their rural village with dreams of a better future. But what awaited them was far from what had been promised.
The suspected trafficker, who struggled to speak Somali, partnered with a Somali-speaking associate to gain the victims’ trust. Language became a key tool in the deception, as victims are often more likely to trust someone who shares their dialect or cultural background.
To facilitate the plan, the suspected traffickers provided fake Ethiopian ID cards, allowing the victims to travel across the country. Their route had been carefully laid out—from their village to a nearby city, then to Addis Ababa, Gondar, Sudan, Libya, and eventually Europe. They were told they would meet another person in Libya who would complete the arrangements.
Thankfully, the team noticed suspicious signs and intervened just in time. They recognized the red flags of human trafficking, counseled the victims, and arranged for their safe return home—stopping the trafficking operation before it could progress further.
Mozambique: Six Females Intercepted Before Trafficking Attempt to South Africa
The team intercepted six females—two women and four children. All were from a rural area plagued by poverty and a lack of job opportunities. The two women, Helena* and Sandra*, were sisters who had grown weary of working on farms with little return. Pressured by desperate circumstances, they decided to travel to South Africa with their daughters, hoping for a better life.
The month prior, Helena had met a man named Tomás*, who claimed to be a successful businessman in South Africa. He told her he owned five food stalls and was planning to open a sixth, promising that she could manage it. After Helena accepted the offer, Tomás gave her R1,000 (about $52 USD) for travel expenses.
Helena didn’t want to leave Sandra behind, so Sandra and her daughter Elina* decided to join the trip with their children. None of them had a clear plan, valid documentation, or any understanding of the risks ahead. When Tomás learned that Helena was bringing additional people, he was displeased. He later told her he had found work for the women at a friend’s bakery in South Africa, offering R2,500 (about $130 USD) per month—far more than the standard street vendor salary of R1,500 (about $80 USD). With no alternatives and clinging to hope, the women accepted the offer without question.
However, the arrangement grew increasingly suspicious. The group was told that an unnamed “friend” would pick them up at the destination—details about this person were never provided. Just before this individual could arrive, the team intercepted the women and children at the station.
When asked for a family contact, the group provided their aunt’s number. Upon hearing the situation, the aunt immediately expressed concern and shared that she did not want them traveling. She confirmed that Tomás had a reputation for luring young women to South Africa, where they often disappeared without explanation.
The team educated the women about the dangers of human trafficking and helped them recognize that they had nearly been deceived into a dangerous situation. Once they understood the risks, they chose to abandon the trip and return home safely.
Before parting ways, the team shared the gospel with the women and offered spiritual encouragement, reminding them that their lives held great value—despite the hardships they faced.
Sierra Leone: Teen Girls Lured by False Job Offers to Turkey, Intercepted at Border
Late one evening at a busy border crossing, monitors encountered two teenage girls—Isata* (16) and Hawa* (17)—who appeared stranded and visibly distressed. Accompanied by an older man, the girls seemed confused and unaware of the risks they faced. Suspecting a case of human trafficking, the monitors stepped in to investigate.
The girls revealed they were en route to Turkey after being promised domestic work with a monthly salary of $350 USD—slightly above the average pay for housemaid positions. They believed the job had been arranged by a Sierra Leonean woman working for an organization abroad.
During questioning, several alarming red flags emerged. The teens were traveling without parental consent or knowledge, and all of their travel documents—including passports and ID cards—were in the possession of the man accompanying them. Additionally, their travel expenses had been paid for by an unknown third party.
Recognizing the serious danger of cross-border trafficking, the monitors immediately contacted law enforcement. Before the police arrived, however, the suspect fled the scene. To ensure the girls' safety, the monitors intercepted them and handed them over to the authorities for protection and further investigation.
Thank you!
Behind every interception is someone like you who chose to care, to give, to act. Your generosity fuels this work and helps us reach more vulnerable people before it’s too late. Join us in the fight against human trafficking. Every gift makes a difference.
Give today and help protect another life from trafficking.
*All data and statistics current at the date and time of publishing. Names and specific locations excluded for privacy and security purposes. Images are representative.
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