31/07/2026
After graduating from university, Kibru struggled to find employment in his profession. While searching for better opportunities, he came across a Telegram advertisement offering a well-paid job in Myanmar. The recruiter promised legal employment, a good salary, accommodation, and a better future. Over the next two months, communication continued through WhatsApp, where the recruiter gained Kibru's trust and assured him that the employer would arrange his visa if he paid for his flight ticket. Believing the opportunity was genuine, Kibru borrowed money from family and friends and travelled to Thailand. Upon arrival, he was taken across the Thailand–Myanmar border to a heavily guarded compound, where he discovered that the promised job did not exist. Instead, he was told he could only leave if he paid USD 6,000. With no money and no safe way to escape, he was forced to sign documents and made to participate in illegal online cryptocurrency scams. Under threats and violence, he was coerced into deceiving people online, a clear case of forced criminality. Workers who failed to meet daily targets were beaten, denied their wages, prohibited from contacting their families, and prevented from leaving the compound. Kibru remained trapped in these conditions for nearly a year. After escaping with the help of another worker, Kibru reached Thailand, where he sought assistance and was supported to return safely to Ethiopia. He was then referred to Agar Ethiopia, where he received temporary shelter, psychosocial counselling, medical care, legal assistance, case management, and vocational skills training to help him recover from the trauma and rebuild his life. Today, Kibru is determined to rebuild his future through lawful employment.
''Trapped Behind the Scam''
World day Against Trafficking 2026.
