The United Nations designated 30 July as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness and protect the rights of trafficking victims. Trafficking involves the recruitment or movement of people through force, fraud or coercion for exploitation. The 2026 theme spotlights a fast-growing form — victims lured by fake overseas job offers and forced to run online scams and cyber-fraud for organised crime networks. In India, trafficking is prohibited under Article 23 of the Constitution and addressed through laws such as the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 and provisions of the new criminal code.

Human trafficking is one of the world's largest organised crimes, and the shift toward 'scam trafficking' blurs the line between victim and offender, as trafficked people are coerced into committing fraud. Awareness helps in identifying victims, strengthening laws and international cooperation, and protecting vulnerable job-seekers from exploitation.