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We love sharing stories of freedom from human trafficking—this is what your support helps make possible! Each of these stories is recent and real, straight from our teams in the field.
South Asia: Five Young Women Intercepted Before Being Trafficked Abroad
They thought they were headed for high-paying jobs in places like Dubai and Qatar. Instead, five young women found themselves rerouted to a remote border town, far from the international airport they expected.
The plan had shifted suddenly. A man they didn’t know met them at the border and told them what to say if questioned: call him their brother and say they were just visiting. He was there to get them across unnoticed. From there, they’d continue south to catch a flight overseas.
Some of the women had already handed over around $1,400 USD for travel and visa costs. They were told they’d be entering on tourist visas and could find work easily once they arrived. What they weren’t told was that working under a tourist visa is illegal—and often a tactic used by traffickers to avoid detection.
Thankfully, our staff spotted the red flags just in time. The women were counseled on the dangers of the journey and the legal risks involved. Each was safely returned home—before it was too late.
Rwanda: 14-Year-Old Boy Alone at Bus Station, Intercepted Before Exploitation
Fourteen-year-old Claude* had just arrived alone at the bus station. He looked uneasy, and something about his body language raised concern for our monitors. When asked where he was headed, he said he was on his way to the city to get school fees. But his story didn’t add up.
With gentle questioning, our team uncovered the truth: a woman from his village had convinced him to travel to Kigali, promising she would help him find work as a domestic helper. She told him they’d use the money to pay for his schooling. But Claude was far too young to be working, especially in the city, where exploitation is common and oversight is minimal.
Thanks to the intervention of our monitoring team, Claude’s journey was stopped before it could go any further. They counseled him on the dangers of child labor and human trafficking and then safely returned him home.
Liberia: Young Woman Intercepted Before Falling for False Hotel Job in Monrovia
Mariama* had traveled alone to the city from a rural community, carrying full bags and speaking to someone frequently on the phone. Her unfamiliarity with the city and anxious behavior caught the attention of our staff, who approached her for a conversation.
Mariama explained that a man she had recently met promised her a hotel receptionist job in Monrovia, with a monthly salary of $400 USD—more than double the normal pay for such a role. He sent her money for transportation, and her family was unaware she had left home.
The man, whom Mariama was supposed to meet at the station, never showed up. After waiting two hours, our monitor called him. He answered, claimed he was on the way, and hung up. But he never arrived. A second call yielded the same excuse.
Recognizing multiple red flags—travel funded by someone unrelated to her, a suspicious job offer, no money to return home, and family unaware of her travel—our staff intervened. They counseled Mariama on the dangers of trafficking and shared the gospel with her, reading from Psalm 115. She expressed gratitude, professed faith in Jesus Christ, and agreed to return home. Our team ensured she got there safely and continues to follow up on her well-being.
Mozambique: Young Zambians Intercepted in Mozambique Before Risky Mining Work
Fourteen young men from Zambia, ages 24 to 27, were intercepted at a bus stop while en route to Chiuta District. They had been recruited by a man named Madalitso*, who promised them high-paying jobs (45,000 MZN/month, about $700 USD) in an iron mine. The offer was unusually lucrative—more than double the local average salary—and came without a formal contract, company name, or verified address.
One man, Chandai*, said he accepted the offer to help his kids. He asked some of his friends to join him, thinking it would be beneficial for all of them.
The group had crossed the border in the back of a truck, many without documentation. They were tired and scared, carrying little more than small bags of clothes. Most didn’t speak Portuguese or know their way around. Chandai had communicated with Madalitso using a neighbor’s phone, but after handing the phone over to him, as requested, he lost all contact. The recruiter never showed up at the agreed meeting point.
Recognizing the red flags—lack of documentation, misleading promises, and isolation—the monitor intervened. The group was counseled on the risks of trafficking and agreed to return home. Migration officials assisted with their safe repatriation.
Bangladesh: Lured by Fake Job Offer, Teen Girl Intercepted Alone in Dhaka
During a routine sweep at a train station, monitors spotted a frightened 16-year-old girl named Tahmina* who appeared lost and alone. She had traveled from her village, having been persuaded over the phone by a man who promised a high-paying job in Dhaka.
The suspect sent her 510 Taka (approximately $5.50 USD) for the journey and instructed her not to tell anyone about the plan. Tahmina arrived with no job address, no employer contacts, and no one she knew in the city.
When team members contacted the man, he claimed Tahmina was his niece but abruptly ended the call when questioned further. The conflicting information and suspicious circumstances were clear indicators of trafficking.
Tahmina’s family was unaware of her travel plans and thanked our team for their assistance. Although our staff offered them support and legal guidance, they declined to take any legal action due to financial hardship. Our team advised Tahmina on human trafficking dangers and helped her safely return home.
Celebrate freedom
We give thanks to God for every beautiful life kept free. Together, one intercept at a time, we are making human trafficking less prolific and disrupting trafficking systems.
To date, our teams have intercepted over 90,000 people before they could be trafficked. Will you help us reach 100,000? Give today at the button below.
*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. AI used for some images.
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