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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 man in China who was abducted 21 years ago has been reunited with his biological parents and has quickly severed ties with his previous life. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Trending in China

‘Can’t buy true love’: Chinese man abducted as child returns to birth family after reunion

Now 26, man says he ‘feels a deep sense of belonging’ after being reunited; works as volunteer with group who help find missing children.

Sexual harassment and assault

Trump’s Justice Department says may have found a million more Epstein files

Donald Trump

Trump flew on Epstein jet 8 times in the 1990s, according to prosecutor email

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Jeffrey Epstein

Schumer urges US Senate legal action over staggered Epstein files release

Senate minority leader called the incremental and heavily redacted release of records ‘a blatant cover-up’.

US Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Photo: Reuters
United States

US Justice Department denies cover-up as Trump photo restored to Epstein files

Officials backtrack on removing an image showing several photos including the US president with women after omission comes under scrutiny.

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Sexual harassment and assault

At least 16 files gone from Epstein release site, including 1 with Trump photo

The missing documents were originally available but no longer accessible a day later, with no reason given.

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Sexual harassment and assault

Epstein victims angry over gaps and censorship in long-awaited file release

Survivors wonder if the redactions and blackouts are there to protect them or the ‘elite men’ who associated with the sex offender.

Epstein accuser Marina Lacerda speaks during a news conference at the US Capitol in September. Photo: AP
Malaysia

31 Malaysians repatriated from Myanmar job scam syndicate

The job scam victims rescued from a Myawaddy job syndicate return home safely after intensive diplomatic negotiations and a 26-hour land journey.

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Britain

Starmer pressured to intercept Andrew Tate in Dubai over UK rape charges

The self-described misogynist will appear at a Dubai boxing match this weekend, while facing civil action in the UK from four women alleging assault and rape.

Sexual harassment and assault

Epstein files release highlights Clinton, makes scant reference to Trump

Few photos of the US president or documents mentioning him appear, a notable difference from previous batches of files made public.

Former US President Bill Clinton stands with Jeffrey Epstein in this image released on Friday. Photo: US Department of Justice via Reuters
United States

Trump Justice Department releases partial set of Epstein files for now

US official says more of the long-awaited documents will follow in coming months, citing legal limits to protect victims and investigations.

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A protester holds a sign related to the release of the Jeffrey Epstein case files outside the US Capitol last month. Photo: AFP
Sexual harassment and assault

New Epstein photos show Lolita quotes written on woman’s foot and body

Another set of images from the disgraced US financier’s estate has been made public, as the deadline for release of the Epstein files looms.

United States

Trump, Clinton and ex-prince Andrew seen in new photos from Epstein’s estate

Larry Summers and Bill Gates also appear, as well as sex toys, and a condom emblazoned with both Trump’s image and the phrase ‘I’M HUUUGE!’.

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The Philippines

Philippines denies ex-mayor Alice Guo has received special treatment in prison

Officials refuted reports that Guo, who recently began serving a life sentence, possessed a phone and had received unauthorised visitors.

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Alice Guo, the former mayor of Bamban in Tarlac province accused of human trafficking and ties to Chinese organised crime, is escorted to a press conference in Manila on September 6, 2024. A Philippine court later sentenced her and seven others to life in prison on human-trafficking charges. Photo: AFP
United States

Epstein files to be unsealed under new Trump-signed law

The transcripts to be unsealed could reveal new details in the sex trafficking case and Ghislaine Maxwell’s role.

A protester holds a sign related to the release of the Jeffrey Epstein case files outside the US Capitol in Washington last month. Photo: TNS
United States

Judge approves release of Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking case records

The ruling follows Trump signing the Epstein Files Transparency Act, requiring the Justice Department make records public by December 19.

Nepal

‘Like a market’: Chinese marriage brokers hunt for brides in Nepal

China’s bachelor crisis meets Nepal’s poverty in a trade that blurs the lines between arranged marriage and coercion.

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Thailand

‘Everyone gets a cut’: why Southeast Asia’s scam industry refuses to die

Authorities are seizing assets and raiding compounds, but analysts warn the clumsy crackdown is merely scattering syndicates to new hideouts.

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A woman counts US dollars and Japanese yen banknotes in Phnom Penh. Scam money’s reach extends far beyond the Mekong. Photo: AFP
Trending in China

China hiker wears clothing tag to support missing children and expand search

Brand’s owner says that tags featuring information about missing children have been part of their public welfare initiative for four years.

Sexual harassment and assault

Photos of Epstein’s notorious private island released by US Democrats

The luxury Caribbean hideout is where the convicted sex offender allegedly forced underage girls into sex with powerful men.

Europe’s refugee crisis

Illegal migrants to UK face clothing and mouth searches for phones, SIM cards

The Home Office says the new powers are needed to gather intelligence quickly on criminal gangs suspected of smuggling migrants.

An officer helps a woman after a group was picked up attempting to cross the English Channel from France in 2023. Photo: AFP
Trending in China

Survivor of child trafficking in China becomes multimillionaire; inspires public

Her adoptive parents were never abusive, but Zeng felt a persistent disconnect; in school, classmates labelled her ‘the picked-up child’.

A woman trafficked 36 years ago became a multimillionaire through hard work. Her emotional journey, including a reunion with her family, gained attention on Chinese social media. Photo: CCTV
Myanmar

Political show? Why Myanmar is again cracking down on cyber scammers

Myanmar’s junta has been under pressure to raid fraud hubs by China as its citizens have been badly affected by these scammers, analysts say.

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South Korea

Seoul sanctions Prince Group chairman Chen Zhi in Cambodia crime crackdown

Chen Zhi, the chairman of the Prince Group, is accused of overseeing scam compounds that detained dozens of South Koreans.

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The Philippines

As Philippines targets more Pogo figures, can Marcos regain public trust?

The flood-control scandal has a bigger impact on the Philippine president’s approval rating than any anti-Pogo moves, analysts say.

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Harry Roque, a spokesman for ex-Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, talks to journalists outside the International Criminal Court ahead of Duterte’s hearing in The Hague in March. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

‘Forced to hide just to sleep’: Indonesian helper rescued after years of abuse

The victim was told to hide under a vehicle to avoid detection during a raid at a home in Batu Caves.

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The victim was forced to hide under a vehicle to avoid detection during a raid in in Batu Caves, Malaysia. Photo: Facebook/imigresen
Crime

US Justice Department renews bid to unseal Epstein grand jury materials

Justice Department says a new law - signed by Trump - supersedes prior rulings to keep the highly anticipated transcripts sealed.

Crime

Video | Ex-Philippine mayor Alice Guo gets life term for human trafficking

The verdict comes at a time when Asean leaders have expressed alarm over rising cybercrimes perpetrated by transnational gangs.

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