Human Trafficking Warning Signs Every Migrant and Their Family Should Know

Human trafficking is one of the most serious risks facing migrants worldwide. The International Labour Organization estimates that roughly 27.6 million people are trapped in forced labour at any given time, with migrants disproportionately represented among victims. What makes trafficking so dangerous is that it rarely looks like the dramatic kidnapping scenarios depicted in films. In most cases, it begins with a conversation, a job offer, a promise of a better life, and a handshake.

This guide is written to help migrants, their families, and communities recognize the warning signs of trafficking before it is too late.

What Human Trafficking Actually Looks Like

The majority of trafficking cases begin with deception, not force. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that more than half of identified trafficking victims were recruited by someone they knew or through what appeared to be a legitimate job offer.

Here is how it typically unfolds:

The approach. Someone offers you a job abroad: domestic work, construction, factory work, hospitality, or agriculture. The offer comes through a friend, a social media contact, or an agent.
The arrangement. The recruiter handles your documents, buys your tickets, and arranges accommodation. You may sign a contract in a language you do not understand, or receive no contract at all.
The arrival. The situation changes. The job is different from what was promised, or it does not exist. Your passport is taken. You are told you owe a large debt for travel and accommodation.
The trap. You cannot leave because you have no documents, no money, no local contacts, and no knowledge of local laws. You are told that if you try to escape, you or your family will face consequences.

This pattern applies to labour trafficking, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and forced criminal activity. The common thread is always control through deception, debt, and fear.

Warning Signs Before You Leave Home

The best time to identify trafficking is before departure. Once you are in another country without documents or a support network, escaping becomes exponentially harder.

The job offer seems too good to be true. The salary is far above normal for the type of work. The job requires no qualifications or interview. The recruiter promises free housing, free flights, and excessive benefits.

Someone else controls your documents. The recruiter asks to hold your passport "for safekeeping." You cannot apply for your own visa. No copies of your documents are provided. The contract is in a language you cannot read.

You are pressured to leave quickly. The recruiter creates urgency, saying the opportunity will vanish. You are discouraged from telling family the details. There is no time to research the company or destination.

The financial arrangement is suspicious. You are asked to take on debt for travel or "placement fees" deducted from future wages. Costs keep changing. Payment is requested in cash or through informal channels.

Warning Signs After Arrival

If you have already arrived in a new country, these signs may indicate a trafficking situation.

Isolation and control. Your passport, phone, or documents have been confiscated. You cannot leave your workplace or living quarters freely. You are monitored constantly and not permitted to contact family.

Debt bondage. You are told you owe a large sum. Your wages are withheld or paid irregularly. The debt never decreases no matter how much you work.

Threats and coercion. You are threatened with violence, deportation, or harm to your family. You are told you will be arrested if you contact police. You are forced to work excessively long hours with no rest.

The work is not what was promised. The type of work is completely different from what was described. Conditions are dangerous or illegal. You are moved between locations without consent.

Red Flag Checklist

Use this checklist to evaluate any migration opportunity. If even two or three of these apply, proceed with extreme caution or walk away entirely.

The recruiter or agent is not licensed or registered with any official body
You have been promised a guaranteed visa outcome or job placement
Someone else holds or wants to hold your identity documents
You are asked to pay large fees upfront, especially in cash
The job offer arrived unsolicited through social media or messaging apps
You are pressured to decide immediately
You are discouraged from telling family the full details
The contract is in a language you do not understand
You cannot independently verify the employer exists
The recruiter becomes aggressive or evasive when you ask questions
You have been told you will owe a debt upon arrival
You are instructed not to contact the embassy or any government agency
The destination country, employer name, or job specifics keep changing
The arrangement requires you to surrender your phone upon arrival

If any of these apply, stop and seek independent advice before proceeding.

Who Is Most Vulnerable and Why

Trafficking does not discriminate by age, gender, or nationality, but certain factors increase vulnerability.

Economic desperation. People in severe financial distress are more likely to accept offers without thorough verification. Traffickers deliberately target communities with high unemployment.

Limited education or language skills. Those who cannot read contracts or communicate in the destination country's language are easier to control and isolate.

Undocumented migration status. Traffickers use the fear of deportation as a tool of control. Victims are told they will be imprisoned if they seek help.

Young people and women. The IOM reports that women and girls account for roughly 65 percent of detected trafficking victims globally. Young people seeking their first opportunity abroad are particularly susceptible.

Conflict-affected populations. Refugees and displaced persons fleeing war or persecution are among the most targeted groups.

How Families at Home Can Help

Families play a critical role in prevention and early detection. If your relative has migrated abroad, watch for these signs:

They suddenly stop communicating, or messages become brief, scripted, or seem monitored
They cannot tell you their exact address or employer's name
They sound frightened or evasive about living or working conditions
They mention owing money to their employer or recruiter
They say they cannot leave their job or accommodation
They mention that their passport or phone has been taken
Someone else answers their phone or speaks on their behalf

What you can do. Before departure, insist on knowing full details of the job offer, employer name and address, and contract terms. Take photographs of all documents. Agree on a regular communication schedule and a code word that means "I am in danger." If communication suddenly stops or changes in tone after departure, act immediately. Contact one of the organizations listed below. You do not need proof. Even a suspicion is enough to trigger assistance.

What to Do If You Suspect Trafficking

If you are a victim. You are not a criminal. In most countries, trafficking victims are protected under law regardless of immigration status. Contact police or emergency services if you are in immediate danger. Reach out to a trafficking hotline. Go to any embassy or consulate of your home country, as they are obligated to assist nationals in distress.

If you are a family member or bystander. Do not confront the suspected trafficker directly, as this can escalate danger. Document everything you know: names, phone numbers, addresses, screenshots. Contact the relevant authorities or an anti-trafficking organization in the country where you believe the person is being held.

International Trafficking Hotlines and Organizations

International

International Organization for Migration (IOM): iom.int/counter-trafficking. Operates in more than 100 countries with shelter, medical care, legal aid, and repatriation support.
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC): unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking.
Global Modern Slavery Directory: globalmodernslavery.org. Searchable database of organizations by country.

United States

National Human Trafficking Hotline (Polaris Project): Call 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. Available 24/7 in more than 200 languages. Report online at humantraffickinghotline.org.

United Kingdom

Modern Slavery Helpline: Call 08000 121 700 or report at modernslaveryhelpline.org. Available 24/7.

Canada

Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: Call 1-833-900-1010. Multilingual, 24/7.

Australia

Australian Federal Police: Call 131 AFP (131 237).
Anti-Slavery Australia: antislavery.org.au.

Europe

La Strada International: lastradainternational.org. Anti-trafficking network across Europe.

Philippines

Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT): Call 1343.

Nigeria

National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP): Call 07030000203 or visit naptip.gov.ng.

India

Anti-Human Trafficking Unit Helpline: Call 181 (Women Helpline) or 1098 (Childline).

South Africa

National Human Trafficking Hotline: Call 0800 222 777.

Legitimate Migration vs. Exploitation

Legitimate Migration	Potential Trafficking
You keep your passport and documents at all times	Someone else holds your documents
Fees are transparent and documented	Fees are vague, escalating, or deducted from wages
You receive a clear contract in a language you understand	No contract, or contract in a foreign language with no translation
You can contact family freely	Communication is restricted or monitored
You know your employer's details before departure	Details are vague or keep changing
You can leave the job if conditions differ from the agreement	You are told you cannot leave until a debt is repaid
The recruiter is licensed and verifiable	The recruiter has no verifiable credentials

If your arrangement looks more like the right column, treat it as an emergency.

Prevention Starts With Knowledge

Trafficking thrives on silence, shame, and misinformation. By understanding the warning signs and sharing this information with your community, you become part of the solution. If you are planning to migrate, protect yourself: research independently, never hand over your passport, give your family the full details of your arrangement, establish a communication plan with a distress signal, and learn about trafficking protections in your destination country. If something feels wrong, it probably is. No job opportunity is worth your freedom.

NextMigrate is committed to making migration safe, legal, and transparent. We work exclusively through licensed channels and verified employers, and we never ask you to surrender your documents or take on debt. If you are unsure about a migration opportunity, contact us for a free assessment. Your safety is not negotiable.