Human trafficking: Fake job offers, online recruitment scams fuel

By Oluseye Ojo

Criminal networks are increasingly exploiting fake job offers, online recruitment scams and other deceptive tactics to lure unsuspecting victims into human trafficking, geospatial experts have warned.

The warning was given at a roundtable organised by the Geoinformation Society of Nigeria (GEOSON), Oyo State Chapter, in Ibadan to mark the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

The experts called for intelligence-driven technologies and stronger collaboration among government agencies, security institutions and communities to combat the menace.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Preventing Human Trafficking and Protecting Vulnerable Communities’, the Chairman of GEOSON, Oyo State Chapter, Mr. David Afolayan, described this year’s global theme, ‘Trapped Behind the Scam’, as timely, saying it reflected the growing sophistication of trafficking syndicates.

Afolayan, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of GIS Konsult Limited, said traffickers now rely heavily on fraudulent job offers, online recruitment, false promises and organised criminal networks to deceive victims.

He stressed that geospatial professionals play a critical role in identifying vulnerable communities, mapping trafficking routes, exposing recruitment fraud, supporting early warning systems and strengthening coordinated interventions.

“Today, we move beyond awareness to action by asking an important question: How can knowing ‘where’ help protect lives? This gathering provides an opportunity to share experiences, deepen collaboration and develop practical solutions,” he said.

Participants advocated wider deployment of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing, the Global Positioning System (GPS), spatial analysis and artificial intelligence to identify trafficking hotspots and movement routes.

Former Head of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Lead City University, Dr. Ademola Adeyemi, said geospatial intelligence would strengthen decision-making, improve resource deployment and support rescue operations.

A geospatial engineer with GIS Konsult Limited, Mr. Victor Eluyera, urged job seekers to verify employers’ registration, official contacts and physical addresses before accepting offers or travelling for work.

Managing Director of Right Time Surveys and Engineering Limited, Mrs Eegunyemi Adepeju; presenter of geospatial and policy research report, Rasheed Babatunde Adesoji; and Director of Strategic Infrastructure, Rural Development and Project Management in the Oyo State Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Adetola Omofuma, and other speakers identified poverty, unemployment, corruption, poor planning and weak public services as major drivers of trafficking.

They urged the governments to expand education, economic empowerment and intelligence-led security interventions.