Emerging changes in the methods and tactics of human trafficking www.gov.mn
There has been a growing number of cases in which Mongolian citizens have been deceived to traveling to Southeast Asian countries-especially to Bavet and Poipet in Cambodia and to areas such as “KK Park” in Myanmar-where they subsequently became victims of human trafficking and were forced to work under coercion, including forсed labor and sexual exploitation.
Organized criminal groups in Southeast Asian countries have established numerous centers to operate cybercrime activities, recruiting indivduals through deception and coercion, and subsequently forcing them to participate criminal acts. These centers are engaged in a wide range of illegal online scam activities including phishing, deepfake pornography, illegal, gambling, lotteries traudulent investment schemes, and loan-related scams.
As a result there have been notable changes in the methods and tactics employed by perpetrators of human trafficking. For instance:
Perpetrators gain the trust of victims by providing financial assistance and subsequently subject them to labor exploitation by having them sign traudulent employment contract presented as official.
Using online platforms, establish contact with individuals provide a certain level of financial support, and gain their trust by proposing the conclusion of so-called official cooperation agreements, thereby inducing them to travel to foreign countries.
Rather than relying on previous methods-such as targeting adolescent girls with limited family supervision for sexual exploitation or sale to third parties-offenders are increasingly selecting individuals with skills in information technology and proficiency in foreign languages. Once the selected individuals are transported to the targeted locations or countries, perpetrators confiscate or withhold their personal documents, compel them to engage in cybercrime activities, and in some cases secure their compliance by promising a share of the ilicit proceeds, thereby completing the criminal act.
Due to limited awareness among citizens regarding crimes involving coercion into iligal activities, and the widespread misconception that human trafficking only occurs when physical force is used, many individuals fail to recognize that they themselves or their close relatives have become victims. Last year, our agency in collaboration with relevant organizations carried out preventive measures among its citizens residing in countries identified as having a high risk of human trafficking.
As a result over 50 individuals identified as being at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking were rerached through in-person and online consultations provided with guidance, and appropriate preventive measures were implemented. During this process, it was found that 68% of these individuals were promised high salaries but were not informed about any resulting debts or how to repay them 56% were provided with false information regarding working and living conditions 98% were instructed to keep details of the job offer confidential or not to disclose them to others and 59% experienced restrictions on their freedom of movement to varying degrees. Although these individuals were not completely prohibited from leaving the country their passports and personal documents were confiscated, and in some cases returned only after their legal stay had expired thereby violating the law and effectively restricting their legal stay had expired thereby violating the law and effectively restricting their freedom of movement.
Therefore, all the citizens are advised to remain vigilant amd take precautious to protect themselves, their families and close assiociates from becoming victims of such crimes.
General intelligence agency of Mongolia
Published Date:2026-01-28





