The Police have warned that criminal syndicates are increasingly using cyberspace through fake job advertisements, social media and online scams to recruit and exploit victims.
As Namibia marked World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, authorities said these digital traps are becoming an increasingly serious threat.
Stakeholders commemorated the event in Henties Bay.
Between April 2025 and June 2026, a total of 16 Namibians returned from Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia after they were caught up in suspected trafficking-linked scam operations.
Staff Officer of the Erongo Region Crime Investigation Division, Detective Chief Inspector Selma Shangula, expressed her concerns.
“We cannot address trafficking in persons without acknowledging the conditions that enable it, which include, but are not limited to, poverty, inequality, unemployment, and a lack of education. These challenges call for all public, as well as private sector and society at large, to join hands with the law enforcement cluster in the fight against trafficking in persons.”
In the Erongo Region, thirteen trafficking cases were recorded between 2010 and 2024.
Eleven offenders have since been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 to 35 years.
Chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council, Lazarus Kanelombe, urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity such as trafficking in persons (TIP) cases.
“Namibia has made significant strides in operationalising its anti-trafficking efforts, such as a unit specifically handling TIP cases within the Namibian police; a police and prosecutor training manual, and TIP pocket guides have been developed to build capacity in the justice sector. A specialised High Court unit has been set up to handle TIP cases.”
A human trafficking survivor, Matheo de Villiers, also shared a message, reminding communities that every person has the right to make decisions about their body and future.
“Human trafficking is a reality. It is happening, and it is deeply concerning. It is particularly troubling that, even in a small town like Henties Bay, I am aware of cases taking place. I know that the autonomy of children, teenagers, and other minors who are not yet able to make fully informed decisions is being taken away from them. That concerns me, and it hurts me.”
Authorities said that combating human trafficking requires cooperation between law enforcement, government institutions and communities, with public awareness remaining one of the strongest tools in preventing exploitation.