Many traffickers use the internet to make contact with their victims, especially children. Believe it or not, this can occur on social media. Sometimes, these traffickers even masquerade as peers of the kids they’re targeting.
Some red flags of traffickers targeting someone online include the following:
- Accounts belonging to someone with few friends, few social media posts, or images that are discovered as reversible when put through Google photos
- Online users pushing for personal information, making promises of money, gifts, career opportunities, etc.
- Pressure for in-person meetings
Knowing how to spot a fake profile can go far in protecting you and your loved ones against online exploitation. There are a few simple tips and tricks to use in vetting these out – learn how to properly recognize a fake social media account here: https://t.co/pnmdx7Ut3P pic.twitter.com/GMfM4VbCMx
— Operation Underground Railroad (@OURrescue) July 14, 2022
Unfortunately, during COVID-19 lockdowns, this opened up a new gateway for human traffickers to use the internet to their advantage.
With many parents faced with their own real-life issues, this left kids on the internet, in most cases, thereby giving predators access to seek out new victims.
In a nutshell, many human traffickers look to exploit what they perceive as vulnerabilities. Contrary to popular belief, these predators aren’t always the ones leaping out of vans and dragging someone away, either.
