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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.
South Korean police escort detainees at Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh on October 18, 2025, after a joint Cambodian–South Korean operation targeting scam networks linked to the trafficking of foreign nationals. Photo: EPA
Thailand

Suspected scam boss linked to South Korean student’s death arrested in Thailand

The arrest follows international outrage over the killing of the university student, which led to a joint Thai–South Korean investigation.

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Scams and swindles

Editorial | Regional cooperation led to arrest of alleged scam kingpin Chen Zhi

The Philippines

Philippine police arrest teenager over alleged online baby sale as cases rise

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Britain

Mobile seizure powers launch in UK crackdown on people smugglers

New UK laws allow officers to seize SIM cards and mobiles to gather intelligence on smuggling operators.

Migrants try to board a smuggler’s boat in an attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines, northern France. Photo: AFP
Myanmar

Asian Angle | How uneven borders fuel Myanmar’s vast and resilient scam economy

Fieldwork along the borders of China and Thailand reveals how uneven controls allow fraud networks to thrive despite crackdowns.

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Nepal

Nepal probes illegal matchmaking as China cautions citizens over ‘bride buying’

Officials say online brokers are promoting Nepali women to Chinese men, prompting detentions and official warnings.

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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.

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
Sexual harassment and assault

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

After missing the deadline for releasing Epstein-related records, the US Justice Department says it may need a ‘few more weeks’.

Donald Trump

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

US government releases nearly 30,000 pages of additional records from the Epstein files, some which contain multiple Trump references.

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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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Newly-released documents from disgraced late financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including a sheaf of entirely redacted pages. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

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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People from China, Vietnam, and Ethiopia – believed trafficked and forced to work in scam centers – sit masked in detention after their February release in Myawaddy, eastern Myanmar. Photo: AP
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.

Andrew Tate leaves the Bucharest Tribunal in Romania in February 2024. Photo: AP
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.

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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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.

A photo of a foot with a quote from Vladimir Nabokov’s “Lolita” written on it was among the images released by Democratic lawmakers on Thursday. Photo: House Oversight Democrats via AFP
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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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.

Jeffrey Epstein (left) is pictured with Ghislaine Maxwell in an undated picture. Photo: TNS
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.

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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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.

A woman in China faced online bullying for hiking with a clothing tag, which was actually part of a campaign to help locate missing children. Photo: Jimu/RedNote
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.

A drone view shows a pool on Little St James, a small private island formerly owned by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Photo: Reuters
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.

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’.

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