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Human trafficking

Human trafficking
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Human trafficking. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
A Singapore court has convicted an Italian man of human trafficking for deceiving his Tinder date into performing sex work in Dubai. Photo: Dreamstime/TNS
Singapore

Man convicted of trafficking Singaporean Tinder date for Dubai sex work

Achraf Arjaouy targeted the victim by pretending to be a wealthy pilot from Qatar who wished to marry her.

China-Latin America relations

BYD made Brazil’s slave labour list. The man behind the decision lost his job

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United States

‘Never been friends’: Melania Trump criticises Epstein ‘lies’ in address

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United States

Bondi won’t appear before US lawmakers over Epstein files: Justice Department

The subpoena is no longer valid after Trump fired her as US attorney general, according to an official.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington in October 2025. Photo: TNS
Cambodia

Why Cambodia’s new law may do little to combat its scam centres

Analysts warn the lack of provisions addressing the role officials and networks play in enabling scams may limit the law’s effectiveness.

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Cambodia

Opinion | To beat Cambodia’s scam gangs, US must work with China – not blame it

Taking down the deeply rooted, well-connected syndicates would require both Washington’s economic leverage and Beijing’s operational efforts.

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China-Latin America relations

Brazil blacklists China EV giant BYD for its slave labour conditions

Government officials said staff were working excessively long hours while being kept in degrading circumstances in their accommodation.

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BYD’s electric vehicle factory’s construction site in Camaçari, Brazil, in December 2024. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Letters | Iran war can increase vulnerability to human trafficking in Southeast Asia

Readers discuss the impact of the war on already struggling people, and coping with the effects of “blandemic” buildings.

Scams and swindles

Cambodia’s high-stakes war on online scam compounds

Cambodia has vowed to stamp out the scam compounds on its soil by month’s end – but perpetrators remain drawn to the potential for huge profits.

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Trending in China

China woman uses old photo to find brother lured away with bread 33 years ago

Tears flow as 3-decade search finally locates long-lost sibling who was starved, beaten and abused by human traffickers before being adopted.

After their mother died and their father disappeared, a Chinese woman and her brother survived by scavenging until the boy was lured away with bread; the siblings reunited recently after 33 years. Photo: QQ.com
Hong Kong police

‘Like a horror movie’: Hongkonger rescued after Myanmar forced labour ordeal

Security Bureau liaised with Chinese embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, economic and trade office in Bangkok and Thai authorities to rescue man.

The man is reunited with his family. Photo: Security Bureau
United States

Bank of America to pay US$72.5 million to settle Epstein victim lawsuit

The suit claims the bank’s executives ‘ignored red flags’ about Epstein’s sex-trafficking venture to provide him with financial services.

France

France raids bank in probe of diplomat over Epstein links

Investigations follow revelations published in the Epstein files by the US Justice Department.

China society

China’s infamous ‘Aunt Mei’ arrested after decade-long hunt for child trafficker

Police identify the woman, surnamed Xie, as the intermediary who brokered the sale of nine children in Guangdong province.

Police sketches of alleged child trafficker Aunt Mei have regularly appeared on Chinese social media since 2017, with state media calling on the public to “remember this face”. Photo: Weibo
European Union

Hundreds die crossing Mediterranean as 2026 already smashes records

At least 655 migrants died or went missing in January and February taking one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

Migrants from Syria and Libya call for help as they are assisted by Spanish NGO Open Arms south of the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2022. Photo: AP
Crime

US House panel subpoenas Pam Bondi in Epstein probe

US attorney general faces accusations that the Justice Department has concealed the names of Epstein associates in its release of documents.

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Sexual harassment and assault

Video | Tate brothers party in Hong Kong, sparking controversy

Andrew and Tristan Tate, brothers who are facing rape and human trafficking charges in Romania and the UK, visited Lan Kwai Fong and a restaurant in Causeway Bay.

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Asean

Southeast Asia’s scam compound survivors suffer in stigma and silence

Many survivors return home to inhabit a murky space between victim and offender, with few support services to help them reintegrate.

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Detained scam centre workers are seen after a raid on a compound in Myanmar’s eastern Myawaddy township last year. Photo: AFP
Britain

UK’s ex-prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson pictured in bathrobes with Epstein

This is thought to be the first photo unearthed of the two men with the late US sex trafficker.

Scams and swindles

Video | Cambodia police raid AI-driven scam centre targeting Europe

Cambodia arrested 65 suspects in a Phnom Penh raid on an alleged AI-powered scam centre that targeted European victims with live video calls.

Scams and swindles

150,000 Meta accounts shut down in Southeast Asian scam centre crackdown

Meta has also launched protective tools such as Facebook and WhatsApp alerts for suspicious friend requests and activities.

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Workstations used by scam operators are seen after a police raid in Phnom Penh on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
United States

US lawmakers vote to subpoena Pam Bondi over Epstein files

Five Republicans joined Democrats to support the measure, in a sharp rebuke of Trump’s attorney general.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi testifies before a House Judiciary Committee hearing in February. Photo: Reuters
United States

Bill Clinton says had no knowledge of Epstein sex crimes as videos released

US House releases videos of Clinton depositions in the Jeffrey Epstein probe, featuring hours-long sworn testimony.

Myanmar

Why China’s Myanmar dilemma still persists, 5 years and 1 election later

Old concerns about stability and security linger as other big players vie for sway over Myanmar’s rare earth bounty and strategic location.

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United States

Bill Clinton grilled over Epstein ties by US lawmakers

His testimony follows that of his wife, Hillary Clinton, who says the panel asked her about UFOs and a 2016-era conspiracy theory.

Former US president Bill Clinton speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August 2024. Photo: AP
United States

Hillary Clinton grilled on Epstein, demands Trump testify

Former secretary of state denies Epstein ties in an hours-long deposition, as her husband Bill Clinton is set to face questioning.

Hillary Clinton after testifying before US House lawmakers. Photo: AP
Cambodia

Cambodia’s Hun Manet admits scam hubs aided property but denies state profit

Scam centres are giving Cambodia a bad reputation, the prime minister says, vowing to wipe them out.

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Crime

UK protection officers instructed to guard 2010 Epstein party: reports

Emails from the recently unsealed ‘Epstein files’ suggest UK officers were utilised at the sex offender’s New York residence.

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