Jakarta, Indonesia – International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Directorate General of Protocol and Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), launched a short film titled “Through the Screen” in Jakarta on 25 July 2023. The film portrayed a young woman who has fallen victim to trafficking in person by online scam companies abroad. Through this film, IOM and MOFA aim to educate the public on the signs and risks of being trafficked in the online scam industry.

Trafficking in person through online platforms has been an emerging trend. Traffickers lured young high school and university graduates with limited employment opportunities in their country of origin with false promises of well-paying jobs overseas. It turns out that they were forced to work at the scam centres involved in online gambling, cryptocurrency, and romance applications. Criminal syndicates recruit victims through online job advertisements posted and circulated on social media.

“The changing of traditional to digital recruitment leads to trafficking in person via online. An innovative approach and collaboration are needed to counter online trafficking. We should not wait for a case to happen. Prevent now, do not regret later,” said Didik Eko Pujianto, Secretary of the Directorate General of Protocol and Consular Affairs, MOFA.

Throughout 2020-May 2023, MOFA reported more than 2,400 Indonesians have fallen as victims to online scam syndicates.  Given the high number of individuals lured into online scams, awareness raising on safe migration routes, risks of trafficking, and online scams, is urgently needed, mainly targeting young and educated Indonesian. The production of this film is a part of IOM’s support to the Government of Indonesia in combating trafficking in person, particularly through online platforms.

The film was developed based on a needs assessment and situational analysis in close consultation with relevant stakeholders, including MOFA, government representatives abroad, the National Board for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (Badan Perlindungan Pekerja Migran Indonesia (BP2MI)), and the Indonesian Labour Migrants Union (Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia (SBMI)) who also have been supported the victims.

“IOM commends the efforts of the Government of Indonesia in fighting trafficking in persons and protecting citizens who have fallen victim to this new modus operandi. We hope that the film contributes to wider efforts to raise awareness among the general community on this specific trend and equips migrants with the information needed to make informed decisions,” stated Joshua Hart, IOM Indonesia’s Senior Programme Coordinator.

The launch event was followed by a talk show on preventing the trafficking in persons for forced criminalities. The event brought together government, civil society organizations, students, and the public to discuss further actions to eradicate human trafficking in the country. The event was held leading to the commemoration of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons (WDATIP), which annually falls on 30 July.

The production of the video was supported by the US Department of State’s Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) through the Asia Regional Migration Program (Asia RMP) implemented by IOM in 12 countries, including Indonesia.

The film is available here and fill out our dissemination form if you would like to download our video in a better quality. 

For further information about this programme, please contact Ayunda Pratama, National Media & Communication Officer at IOM Indonesia, Tel: +62 811 1219 913, Email: apratama@iom.int.

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