A new report from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) finds that large-scale human trafficking cannot function without corruption by border guards, public officials, and other authorities who enable the crime in exchange for money, sexual favours, or under coercion. The report highlights cases in which officials directly facilitated trafficking operations, illustrating how abuse of power plays a central role in sustaining these criminal networks.
Based on the analysis of more than 120 cases across nearly 80 countries, and informed by consultations with policymakers, prosecutors, investigators, and experts from over 30 countries, the report exposes the often-hidden links between human trafficking and corruption. It shows that corruption is not incidental but systemic, embedded throughout trafficking operations worldwide.
Human trafficking takes many forms, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, forced begging, organ removal, illegal adoption, and other forms of abuse. The report demonstrates that corruption facilitates every stage of these crimes, allowing traffickers to operate with relative impunity.
During recruitment and transportation, corrupt officials provide fraudulent or irregular documentation, ignore warning signs, and collude with criminal groups and dishonest recruitment agencies. At border crossings, bribes and illegally obtained paperwork enable traffickers to move victims across national boundaries and between jurisdictions.
Once exploitation begins, corruption makes it extremely difficult for victims to seek help. Corrupt practices shield trafficking operations in sectors such as agriculture, construction, fisheries, and domestic work, trapping victims in forced labour, sexual exploitation, or coerced criminal activity while preventing detection and intervention.
Corruption also undermines efforts to combat trafficking by obstructing police investigations, weakening prosecutions, influencing judicial decisions, and limiting access to assistance and protection for victims. These failures allow trafficking networks to persist and expand.
In response, UNODC is supporting countries in breaking the link between corruption and human trafficking by promoting stronger legislation, including harsher penalties when public officials are involved, and establishing safe reporting mechanisms for victims. Other UN agencies are contributing through initiatives to strengthen border controls and data analysis, such as Moldova’s new Passenger Information Unit, which uses advanced UN-supported technology to improve the detection and prevention of cross-border crimes, including human trafficking.
