Modern-day forced labour flourishes

Scammers through social media ads exploit youth seeking jobs abroad

KARACHI:

Online scamming has emerged as a modern-day form of forced labour, trapping Pakistani youth through deceptive job offers abroad. Using targeted advertisements on social media and other online platforms, young individuals are lured with promises of high-paying jobs, free tickets, visas, and accommodation.

In pursuit of a better future, many Pakistani youth place blind trust in these companies without proper verification—only to find themselves trapped in exploitative situations.

In the past, forced labour camps—commonly known as 'begar camps'—were a harsh reality in Pakistani society, where individuals were coerced into labour through deception or even abduction, often in remote and inaccessible areas. Today, a more complex and sophisticated version of the same exploitation has surfaced in the form of online scams.

Officials from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) shared alarming insights with Express News, revealing how these schemes are increasingly targeting educated Pakistani youth.

In an exclusive conversation, FIA Immigration Deputy Director Shehzad Akbar explained that in the 1990s and early 2000s, illegal migration (commonly referred to as 'dunki') primarily involved financially disadvantaged individuals who saved money to seek opportunities abroad. However, in today's digital era, even educated and relatively stable young people are falling victim while trying to improve their financial conditions.

According to him, most victims are unmarried individuals between the ages of 22 and 30 who seek quick opportunities abroad. They are attracted by offers of free travel, visas, and accommodation, often failing to verify the credibility of these companies before engaging with them.

These fraudulent companies frequently bring individuals on visit visas instead of legitimate work visas—often under the pretext of higher visa costs—resulting in victims becoming illegal residents upon arrival. Another common tactic is confiscating passports, leaving victims with no control over their mobility.