Interpol has released its latest crime trend report, indicating that scam parks relying on human trafficking operations have spread from Southeast Asia to various regions worldwide, forming a highly transnational criminal network.
The report reveals that as of March 2025, victims from 66 countries have been lured to such parks, with about 74% being sent to Southeast Asia. However, the Middle East, West Africa, and Central America are rapidly emerging as new scam centers.
Scam groups often use "high-paying jobs" as bait, luring victims into the country and then illegally detaining them, forcing them to engage in pig butchering scams, fake investments, and counterfeit customer service online scams. Hundreds of thousands have suffered violence, sexual exploitation, and torture, with many trapped in debt bondage and unable to escape.
Interpol notes that this type of park crime has escalated from a regional issue to a global security crisis. Since 2023, Interpol has coordinated with multiple countries' law enforcement to investigate several cases involving human trafficking and forced scam parks, including rescuing 88 coerced youths in Namibia.
The report also warns that criminal groups are using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to create fake recruitment ads and virtual identities, further enhancing the precision and concealment of their deception. Additionally, some human trafficking routes are also used for smuggling drugs, firearms, and wildlife, indicating that their organizational structure is becoming more complex and highly specialized.