Know the signs before the scam. Sex trafficking rarely starts with chains. Traffickers prey on desperation, luring with “opportunities”, oaths, and emotional blackmail. Here’s how to spot the red flags and take practical steps to stay safe.
At first, it looked like a dream job for Adeola.

She’d been offered what seemed like a plum role in the Malian capital, Bamako, and her getaway from poverty. But the promise by her female recruiter soon turned nightmarish.

“When I got to her house, she told me she was now my ‘madam’ and had bought me from my sister,” Adeola recalled. “She said I would have to work to pay her 1.5 million CFA francs… I told her I couldn’t do such work and would rather die.”

Adeola is the daughter of Nollywood actress Jumoke George. Her story, told on the Talk To B podcast hosted by Biola Adebayo, is just one of many harrowing accounts of young Nigerian women lured into sex slavery with false promises.

She thought she was heading to manage a pharmacy; instead, she was trafficked, stripped of her documents, and forced into prostitution to repay a debt she never knew existed. Sold for just ₦250,000, she spent four years in Mali, battling fear, shame, and survival.

“I told her I knew nothing about that arrangement and that I couldn’t engage in prostitution,” Adeola said. “She refused and seized my phone, documents, and everything I could use to leave Mali.”

She eventually escaped with the help of a man who lent her money so she could work as a food vendor. But Adeola’s story is not isolated.

Another survivor, Nadège, a mother of one, told CNN her traffickers lured her from Lagos to France with a promise of a waitress job. What followed was spiritual manipulation and brutal exploitation.

“We were forced to take an oath in a ‘juju’ temple… to lie in a coffin and swear never to speak about Madam or the debt,” she said.

“She gave me a fake passport and sent me to work in the Bois,” she added.

Once in France, Nadège was made to sleep with men for just €20 (₦36,000) per client and told to repay a fabricated €50,000 (₦90,110,000) debt.

Victims of poverty

Sex trafficking is largely driven by poverty, unemployment, and calculated deceit. Many young women, hungry for opportunity, are baited with jobs or travel offers. Some are tricked by trusted friends or relatives; others are coerced with spiritual threats. Most only realise the danger after they’re trapped.

“A lot of parents are mounting pressure on their female children to go out there and make money to take care of the rest of the family,” Nduka Nwanene, former Edo State Zonal Commander of NAPTIP, told The Guardian.

“There are victims who left their homes because their parents insist that they must travel abroad to make money for the family; otherwise, they will no longer have them as their children.”

How traffickers operate: the red flags to watch

Sex trafficking rarely begins with force. It starts with a smile, a promise, and a lie. However, there are key warning signs to keep in mind and to teach the girls and women around you.

🔴 1. Vague or too-good-to-be-true job offers
Modelling abroad? All-expense-paid nanny job? No clear role, instant visas, unrealistically high salary, luxurious lifestyle, or free travel. They often use phrases like “no experience needed,” “immediate placement,” or “guaranteed success” with little detail. If it sounds too sweet, dig deeper. Always verify every detail and never submit documents without legal checks.

🔴 2. Pressure to “act now”
“This opportunity won’t last”, or “this is your only chance to make it”, is a classic tactic. These offers come with urgent timelines or pressure to travel or relocate immediately. Rushing you stops you from asking questions.

🔴 3. Requests for personal documents or money
Legit employers don’t take your ID before you start. Demands for fees for “visa processing”, “training” or “accommodation” are a red flag.

🔴 4. Unverifiable company or recruiter
No website, no physical address, emails from generic accounts and evasive answers? Or the recruiter refuses to give references or meet in a safe public location? Walk away.

🔴 5. Overseas jobs with zero paperwork
No written contract, no visa clarity, promises to “fix everything once you arrive”. Don’t go.

🔴 6. Communication feels off
They dodge questions, get angry when you ask for details, or slide into romantic/manipulative language in a professional setting. Most communication is via WhatsApp, DMs, or through an intermediary who can’t be verified.

🔴 7. Travel plans that don’t add up
You’re told someone else will handle your ticket and accommodation, but you’re not given details. You’re asked to travel alone and meet a “contact” on arrival. Red flag.

🔴 8. Isolation tactics
“Don’t tell anyone yet.” “Keep this secret so they don’t spoil it”, while saying they’re trying to help you escape hardship. Secrecy equals control.

🔴 9. Grooming, marriage, or study scams
Many girls are tricked with false promises of marriage or free education abroad. Traffickers use social media to find victims, pretending to be agents, lovers, or job sponsors. If someone says they’ll pay for your travel or ‘connect’ you to someone rich, it is a red flag.

🔴 10. Sudden personality changes
If a loved one withdraws, skips school/work, or looks constantly afraid, check in. This could be a cry for help. Traffickers often use fear and threats to silence victims.

🔴 11. Seized phones or documents
If a friend or relative abroad can’t access their passport or phone, raise the alarm. This is a common control method.

How to protect yourself and your loved ones

Trust your instincts. If it feels off, it probably is.

Research ruthlessly. Google the company, ask for contracts, and verify licences.

Never surrender your passport to strangers, including a potential employer or “agent”.

Tell someone where you’re going and who you’re meeting. Always.

Never travel without informing your family, and be suspicious of anyone promising travel abroad without legal contracts.

Don’t cut corners. If the process feels shady, walk away.

If you suspect a scam or danger, report suspicious movements to NAPTIP (National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons). In Nigeria, contact NAPTIP by calling 0703 0000 203 or report online via www.naptip.gov.ng. Outside Nigeria, contact local law enforcement or a trafficking hotline in your country.