Our dedicated monitors work tirelessly to identify and intercept potential victims before they fall into the hands of traffickers. Through close collaboration with local authorities and community vigilance, we've been able to intervene in thousands of trafficking cases (2,348 intercepts in the month of July alone!), ensuring that at-risk individuals are returned to safety and empowered with the knowledge to protect themselves in the future. Here are a few of the most recent powerful stories from our work around the globe!
South Asia: Trafficker Arrested After Being on the Run for Four Years
Saraswati* (17) moved to the city with her sister after their father died. After receiving a phone call from suspect Ajay*, who claimed to have gotten her number from a neighbor, the two began calling regularly and quickly became close friends who fell in love.
According to Saraswati, Ajay proposed to her, promising to take her abroad and settle there. Around September 2019, he asked her to go on a trip with him to a nearby town. While there, Ajay introduced her to his friend, suspect Kamal*, and told her to stay with Kamal for a short while, promising to return soon. When he didn’t return, Kamal hailed a taxi and took Saraswati to a hotel in a different town, forcing her to do whatever he told her.
The next day, he took her by bus to another city and kept her there in a hotel for one week, locked in her room, unable to leave. Eventually, her traffickers took her across the border and sold her in the neighboring country.
One day she managed to escape and return to her home country where our staff met her at the border and accompanied her back home. After counseling her for a long time, they helped her file a human trafficking case on August 15, 2020. Ajay was arrested two days later, on August 17, but Kamal went into hiding. Despite having very little information about Kamal, the investigations team was determined to find him. By conducting surveillance and following up on the few details they knew, they collaborated with the police and secured his arrest on May 2, 2024.
Namibia: International Trafficking Scheme Thwarted at Airport as Monitors Prevent Young Man from Being Lured to Brazil
Monitors intercepted a 21-year-old Namibian man as he attempted to travel to Sao Paulo, Brazil. Despite never having traveled abroad before, not speaking the language, and having insufficient funds, he was lured by a stranger he met through his sister. This stranger had covered his travel expenses and promised to meet him at the airport in Brazil.
The young man was at high risk of being trafficked as he was unaware of the potential dangers and had not informed his family of his plans. Fortunately, the monitors intervened in time, educating him about human trafficking and convincing him to return home safely.
Malawi: Six At-Risk Individuals Intercepted at Border While Traveling to South Africa for Suspicious Work
Monitors, in collaboration with local police, intercepted six individuals on their way to South Africa, including five girls and one boy, ranging in age from 16 to 23. The group had been recruited by a man named Osman*, who visited their village and promised them good jobs in South Africa.
Osman had confiscated most of their travel documents and paid for their transportation to the border, but he was not traveling with them at the time of their interception. He instructed them to meet him after crossing the police roadblocks.
Staff identified several red flags, including the presence of minors recruited for work and the suspicious behavior of their recruiter. Recognizing the signs of potential human trafficking, our team intervened, provided counseling, and helped the six individuals safely return home.
Lesotho: Suspected Traffickers Caught in Lies at the Border in a Sting Operation––Young Woman Safe from Exploitation
Monitors intercepted a 20-year-old woman named Palesa* on her way to a new job in South Africa that a friend had arranged for her. Despite several attempts, our office was unable to reach this friend by phone.
During questioning, monitors learned that Palesa was in contact with another woman who was directing her where to go. This other woman, Mamello*, said Palesa was supposed to go to a different city in South Africa for the job and that someone was already waiting on the other side of the border to pick her up. However, Mamello claimed she was not directly responsible for the job offer, which raised suspicions among our team. The monitors alerted the police, suspecting a possible trafficking situation.
Palesa continued to receive messages from Mamello, asking if she had crossed the border. When our monitor asked for details about the person who was supposed to pick her up, Mamello only provided vague information, describing him as a skinny older man driving a large gray car. The monitors, along with the police, decided to use Palesa as bait to apprehend the suspects.
The plan was set, and Palesa positioned herself where she could be easily seen. She continued receiving messages until an older man approached her from a car parked at a nearby gas station. After telling Palesa to fetch her bags, he returned to a different blue car where he spoke with a person in the car while pointing at Palesa.
When the police and our monitor approached the car, the older man denied knowing the person in the car and denied talking to Palesa. However, the other person admitted that the older man was his employee but claimed ignorance of his activities at the border. Based on inconsistent stories—a red flag of potential exploitation—both were taken into custody for questioning.
During the interrogation, the older man admitted he was supposed to take Palesa to the employer’s house where she would work as a domestic helper. The employer in the car, however, denied any knowledge of the situation and claimed he was only waiting for his brother at the border. When another woman approached the car, the employer claimed she was the person he had been waiting for, contradicting his earlier statement.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of substantial evidence, the suspects were eventually released but placed on a watchlist. Mamello ceased communication after the suspects were questioned by the police.
Palesa returned safely to her relative's place nearby. From there, she planned to continue her journey home the next morning. Investigations are ongoing, and the police liaison is working with officers to ensure a thorough investigation.
Zambia: Two Vulnerable Travelers at Illegal Border Crossing, Intercepted and Returned Home
Monitors at the Zambia border recently intercepted Saimony*, a 23-year-old man, and Peter*, a 13-year-old boy, attempting to cross using an illegal route. Their large bags and suspicious behavior prompted immediate questioning.
Saimony and Peter claimed they were heading to the city to stay with a relative. However, during the interview, it became evident that they lacked sufficient resources, identity documents, and even a phone—critical indicators of vulnerability to human trafficking and exploitation. They also revealed it was their first time traveling abroad, and they had no contact information for the relative they intended to visit.
Concerned by these red flags, the monitors intervened by providing counseling on the dangers of human trafficking and labor exploitation. They also shared the gospel with the pair before assisting them in safely returning home.
Mozambique: Team Intercepts 18-Year-Old Traveling with Stranger to South Africa for Work
Boavida*, an 18-year-old boy, was lured by Amon*, a man claiming to be a small businessman with a fruit sales network in South Africa. Amon promised Boavida a good job as a street vendor, offering a monthly salary of R1300 (about $70 USD), along with food and accommodation.
Excited by the prospect of a better life, Boavida trusted Amon and accepted the offer. Without informing his family, bringing identity documents, or having any means of communication, Boavida ran away from home to start the journey.
Amon covered all travel expenses, and they boarded a bus to the city. However, upon arrival, monitors intercepted them for questioning. Amon attempted to deceive the monitors by claiming they were relatives, but Boavida revealed the truth—that they were not related and that he was traveling for a job.
During the questioning, Amon fled, abandoning Boavida. The monitoring team educated Boavida on the dangers of human trafficking and informed him that the job offer was a scam. They emphasized the risks of traveling with strangers and took him to the police station to report the incident.
The staff then contacted Boavida’s family, who had been desperately searching for him, fearing he had been kidnapped. They were relieved to learn he was safe. The monitors arranged for Boavida’s safe transportation back home.
Thank you!
There’s another key background player that goes unmentioned in these stories, but without which none of this would be possible…
YOU!
As a nonprofit organization, we depend on donations and support from donors all over the world. If you are passionate about seeking justice and protecting the vulnerable, we’d love to have you join our monthly giving community—Project Beautiful—at the button below! You’ll even receive a prayer bracelet handmade by survivors of trafficking, with the name, age, and country of someone we intercepted.
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*All data and statistics current at the date and time of publishing. Names and some specific locations excluded for privacy and security purposes. Images are representative.
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