Understanding the Role of Fraud in Human Trafficking
This January, in recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, we’re breaking down the three methods traffickers use to exploit their victims: force, fraud, and coercion. Here, we’ll explore the role of fraud.
Let’s consider Liam’s* story. While Liam’s name and the details of his experience have been changed, his story is representative of the survivors AncoraTN serves every day.
Liam’s home life was unsafe at an early age, and he stayed in foster care until he aged out. On his 18th birthday, he was asked to leave his foster home. He began frantically looking for work and found an online ad for help at a family farm. He had no job experience and nowhere to live, so when the job was offered to him — along with free room and board — he quickly accepted.
Unfortunately, it was not all it was promised to be. Liam was misled about the nature of the work and the conditions he would face. He was forced to perform hard manual labor all hours of the day and night, regardless of the weather. His traffickers told him he still owed “debts” for his room and board, and he was not allowed to leave the farm or have contact with anyone outside of the home. Even if he wanted to leave, he had nowhere to go.
In this example, Liam’s traffickers used fraud — deceptive promises and false representations — to manipulate and exploit him. This method often involves tricking victims with lies about job opportunities, living conditions, or future benefits. Traffickers may also:
Falsely promise safe and well-paying jobs to lure victims
Misrepresent the living conditions or legal status of the victim
Exploit the victim’s lack of resources or knowledge of their rights
The use of fraud creates false hope and a sense of dependency, making it incredibly difficult for victims to recognize their situation or seek help.
How You Can Help
Education is one of the most powerful tools in combating human trafficking. By sharing information, such as the role of fraud, you can help raise awareness and empower others to recognize and respond to potential trafficking situations.
We invite you to share AncoraTN’s social media posts (Instagram, Facebook) on this topic with your network. Together, we can spread awareness and strengthen our collective fight against human trafficking.
We’re Here to Help
If you or someone you know may be a victim of human trafficking, call the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at (855) 558-6484 or text “BeFree” to 233733.
AncoraTN is a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to helping human trafficking survivors of all ages heal from their traumas and find hope for their futures. Through prevention programs, community education, and legislative advocacy, we also work to stop human trafficking before it ever begins.
