Forced labour in West African cybercrime academies: how fear traps young men
New research into West African cybercrime academies reveals that young men are often recruited through psychological and spiritual coercion rather than just physical force. The study challenges common stereotypes about cybercrime syndicates by highlighting how fear and social pressure trap individuals in illicit digital fraud training.
Why it matters
Understanding the non-physical methods of exploitation in cybercrime is essential for law enforcement and policymakers to effectively dismantle human trafficking and fraud networks.
Control, pressure and exploitation are used to get young people to join illicit training spaces for internet fraud. PeopleImages via Getty Forced labour in West African cybercrime academies: how fear traps young men Published: June 11, 2026 9:56am EDT https://theconversation.com/forced-labour-in-west-african-cybercrime-academies-how-fear-traps-young-men-283661 https://theconversation.com/forced-labour-in-west-african-cybercrime-academies-how-fear-traps-young-men-283661 Link copied Share article Share article
The article presents academic research findings in an objective, descriptive manner.
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