In the summer of 2023, Jalil Muyeke arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, to start a new job only to find himself ensnared in a harrowing experience of human trafficking that reflects a larger crisis exacerbated by recent cuts in foreign aid by the Trump administration.
Upon landing, Muyeke was picked up by a driver who took him deep into the countryside, far from where he expected to go. Unable to contact anyone due to lack of cellphone service and fearing for his safety, he was ultimately trafficked across the Moei River into Myanmar. Here, he was forced to participate in “pig butchering” scams, wherein victims are groomed to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes.
Reports indicate that over 220,000 people worldwide have been trafficked to countries like Myanmar and Cambodia, often forced to engage in such scams. The operations, largely run by Chinese criminal syndicates, have grown increasingly profitable, generating over $43 billion annually from cyber scams. The FBI noted a troubling increase of nearly 53% in losses from these scams in the United States, with Americans losing close to $4 billion in 2023 alone.
Compounding the crisis, anti-trafficking organizations are sounding alarms over funding cuts made by the Trump administration that terminated vital counter-trafficking programs at USAID. From 2001 to 2020, USAID allocated approximately $164 million to counter-trafficking initiatives in Asia—about half of its global funding on this front. Following the abrupt termination of projects earlier this year, organizations aimed at combating trafficking and aiding victims have found themselves in dire situations, with funding cuts jeopardizing their operations and resources.
In Mae Sot, Thailand, various NGOs focused on victim support have reported that they are now at a standstill due to funding losses. For instance, Global Alms, which relies on State Department funds for 60% of its budget, faces significant hurdles providing support and emergency aid to trafficking victims. The CEO, Mechelle Moore, noted the traumatic conditions under which victims arrive and detailed the essential support that has been curtailed due to the funding cuts.
With mounting reports of widespread human trafficking emerging from Southeast Asia, experts are warning that the cuts could embolden criminal organizations. The situation has been characterized as a growing “scamdemic,” evolving from regional issues into a crisis affecting millions globally. As growing numbers of victims seek escape from the abusive conditions in scam compounds, organizations like Humanity Research Consultancy reveal that funding restrictions have led to layoffs, limits on outreach, and stalling of critical anti-trafficking initiatives.
As these organizations struggle to operate without necessary funding, individual stories like that of Jalil Muyeke bring the urgency of the situation into sharp focus. After seven months at the scam compound, he managed to escape but now fears for others still trapped, questioning the implications of the current U.S. foreign policy. He remarked, “Most of the people cheering this thing on are people who are just thinking about themselves and America right now. They are digging a grave for themselves … it’s Americans who are the predominant targets.”
The recent cuts to U.S. foreign aid highlight a troubling trend in addressing emerging global challenges such as human trafficking and cyber fraud, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of U.S. strategies in ensuring safety both at home and abroad.