Be vigilant on social media as traffickers also recruit from there. That’s the warning from the Western Cape Department of Social Development. While observing the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, MEC Jaco Londt says they’ve noticed a global increase in traffickers who use digital platforms as part of their recruitment tactics.
“The nature of cyber-enabled trafficking is hidden and underreported, says mec jaco londt.”
Be vigilant on social media, as traffickers also recruit from there
MEC Londt says online platforms, including messaging apps, are increasingly used to lure victims with fake job offers, fraudulent modelling opportunities, romance scams, and promises of international employment or education. He added that the nature of cyber-enabled trafficking is hidden and underreported. “However, digital platforms have become a popular tool for traffickers to identify, groom, and exploit vulnerable people. This reinforces the need for greater digital awareness, public education, and collaboration between law enforcement, technology companies, and communities,” Londt added.
He added, “However, digital platforms have become a popular tool for traffickers to identify, groom, and exploit vulnerable people.”
People of different ages, genders, and backgrounds have been targeted
The MEC further added that people of different ages, genders, and backgrounds have been targeted in the Western Cape. He says during the 2025/26 financial year, the Department’s Victim Empowerment Programme assisted 19 victims of trafficking. They were helped with psychosocial support, skills development, and educational workshops through accredited, funded Trafficking in Persons shelters.
“Individuals facing economic hardship, unemployment, family instability or other vulnerabilities are often targeted.”
The province and Cape Town in particular attract people seeking job opportunities
Londt says residents in the province have been affected, with the most common cases involving sexual exploitation, forced labour, and domestic servitude. He says traffickers exploit the fact that the province, and Cape Town in particular, attracts people seeking job opportunities.
“Recruitment frequently occurs through people known to the victim, including acquaintances, intimate partners or family members, as well as through online platforms.”
The department provides ways to reduce risks of being trafficked
Reducing trafficking risk:
- Verify job offers through official channels before accepting them.
- Be cautious of opportunities that promise high salaries with little experience or require urgent travel.
- Never hand over identity documents or passports to recruiters or employers.
- Research companies and recruitment agencies thoroughly.
- Be careful about sharing personal information online and be wary of strangers who build trust quickly through social media or messaging platforms.
- Tell trusted family members or friends about your travel or employment plans, and maintain regular contact with them.
- If something feels suspicious or too good to be true, seek advice before proceeding.
- Public awareness is one of the strongest tools in preventing Trafficking in Persons.
Trafficking in Persons
According to a media statement, Trafficking in Persons involves the act of selling, recruitment, transportation, delivery, transfer, exchange, leasing, harbouring or receipt of a person and can occur over international borders, or within the borders of a country. It is done by means of threats, force, coercion, by abusing a person’s position of vulnerability, abuse of power, fraud, abduction, kidnapping, deception, payments and is for exploitation.
Anyone who becomes aware of suspected trafficking can report it via the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 0800 222 777 or at the nearest police station.
