LILONGWE, Malawi — The Malawi Government has raised alarm over the growing use of digital platforms by human traffickers, warning that fake job advertisements, fraudulent recruitment agencies, social media messages and online relationships are increasingly being used to lure unsuspecting victims into exploitation.

The warning was delivered on Wednesday during commemorations marking the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons at Chilimampinga Ground in Mtandire, Lilongwe, where government officials, international organisations and civil society groups called for stronger public awareness and coordinated action to combat the evolving crime.

Minister of Homeland Security Peter Mukhito said traffickers are adapting to technological advances, making it easier to reach potential victims through mobile phones and social media rather than traditional cross-border recruitment methods.Mukhito claims Chakwera Is being shielded from the truth

Speaking under this year’s global theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam,” Mukhito said the campaign highlights how traffickers exploit people’s hopes for employment, education and better living conditions through deceptive online schemes.

“Today trafficking may not approach a victim at a border. The trafficker may strive through a mobile telephone, through a social media message, through a fake job advertisement, through a fraudulent recruitment agency, or through someone pretending to offer friendship, employment, or love,” said Mukhito.

He stressed that Malawi’s response to human trafficking is built on four key pillars—prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership—adding that stronger collaboration among government agencies, communities and international partners is essential to dismantle trafficking networks, protect survivors and ensure offenders are prosecuted.

Mukhito urged Malawians to exercise caution before accepting employment or travel opportunities advertised online.Peter Mukhito Promises Transformational Development for Lilongwe City Centre

“Verify before you trust. Question before you travel. Report before it is too late,” he said.

Women and Children Remain Most Vulnerable

Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Mary Navicha said women and children continue to bear the greatest burden of human trafficking, with social media increasingly becoming a tool used by traffickers to identify and groom potential victims.

She said her ministry is supporting survivors through psychosocial counselling, family tracing, reintegration services and social protection programmes while working with partners to strengthen child protection systems.

Navicha also highlighted government initiatives aimed at addressing the economic hardships that often make people vulnerable to trafficking.

“We are providing soft loans to our women and girls. We are also providing skills and some programmes to our youth, particularly girls, so that they will have something to do,” she said.

She appealed to parents and guardians to closely monitor children’s movements, friendships and online activities.Mukhito promises youth empowerment and development in Lilongwe City Centre Constituency

“Protecting children starts from home,” Navicha said.

IOM Warns Technology Is Changing Human Trafficking

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says human trafficking is becoming increasingly sophisticated as criminals embrace emerging technologies.

IOM Malawi Officer in Charge for the Chief of Mission Alina Zalewski acknowledged that Malawi has made progress through legal reforms and national action plans but warned that traffickers are continuously changing their methods.

“We see more and more online exploitation. We see AI, artificial intelligence technology, that is really having new ways to bring hope to people that is false,” Zalewski said.

She called for greater public education to help communities identify fraudulent job offers and avoid unverified recruitment channels.

Poverty Continues to Drive Vulnerability

At the community level, Malawi Network Against Trafficking (MNAT) National Coordinator Caleb Thole said poverty, unemployment and limited livelihood opportunities remain among the biggest factors exposing Malawians to traffickers.

According to Thole, traffickers exploit financial desperation by promising lucrative jobs and better lives abroad or in urban centres.

He said anti-trafficking efforts should extend beyond rescuing victims and prosecuting offenders to include sustainable economic empowerment programmes that reduce vulnerability.

Thole also urged government to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies and regulators to investigate online recruitment activities, noting that traffickers increasingly operate through platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and other digital technologies.

He encouraged members of the public to report suspicious recruitment agencies and online job offers to relevant authorities before others fall victim.

Public Urged to Stay Vigilant

As online scams become a growing gateway to human trafficking, authorities are calling on Malawians to remain vigilant by verifying job offers, confirming recruitment agencies and seeking guidance from relevant government institutions before travelling for work.DPP Students at University of Malawi Back Peter Mukhito Over Tear Gas Incident in Lilongwe

Officials say public awareness, stronger law enforcement and expanded economic opportunities will be critical in protecting vulnerable communities from traffickers who continue to exploit digital technology to deceive victims.

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