Deepfake Exploitation in Trafficking

We investigate deepfake exploitation in trafficking as the malicious use of AI-generated synthetic media to create fraudulent job ads, fake documents, or blackmail material against migrants.

We view the rise of deepfakes as a terrifying evolution in online deception. Scam operators now use AI to fabricate videos of fake recruiters or non-existent job sites to convince vulnerable labour migrants that an opportunity is real.

Disinformation trackers warn that deepfake technology drastically lowers the barrier for traffickers to run sophisticated digital recruitment scams.

We stay at the forefront of researching this emerging threat in South Asia. We build specialised digital literacy modules that teach migrants and grassroots organisations how to spot AI-generated content.

Our advocacy targets tech companies, demanding stronger detection algorithms to stop their platforms from becoming hunting grounds for deepfake-enabled labour trafficking.