First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has called on Nigerians to remain vigilant against online scams that are increasingly being used by human traffickers to lure young people into exploitation and forced criminality.
In a message to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on Thursday, the First Lady described human trafficking as a modern form of slavery that has evolved beyond traditional methods to include online scams, fake job offers and transnational organised crime.

Oluremi Tinubu said this year’s global theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam,” highlights the growing use of fraudulent overseas employment opportunities and investment schemes to deceive young Nigerians, including graduates.
She urged individuals, families, communities and institutions to remain alert to the tactics employed by traffickers and to report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.

The First Lady stressed that tackling human trafficking requires collective responsibility, urging Nigerians to protect vulnerable people from exploitation.
She said greater public awareness and cooperation are essential to preventing more people from falling victim to trafficking networks operating through digital platforms.

Her appeal comes amid growing international concern over the rise of online scam compounds, particularly in parts of Southeast Asia, where victims are reportedly lured with fake employment offers before being forced into cyber fraud under threats and abuse.
International organisations have identified online scam operations as one of the fastest-growing forms of human trafficking, with victims recruited through deceptive advertisements on social media and other digital platforms.