All articles tagged with #human trafficking
Over years, the FBI examined Epstein’s bank records, emails, and homes, interviewed victims, and reviewed his ties to influential people; a DOJ release and AP reporting indicate the bureau concluded Epstein wasn’t running a sex-trafficking network for powerful men.
Authorities say Operation Reclaim and Rebuild led to hundreds of arrests and dozens of rescues in California's weeklong crackdown on human trafficking, with Los Angeles County reporting 18 traffickers and 79 sex buyers arrested and 12 adults and 5 children rescued, and statewide figures showing 74 traffickers and 328 sex buyers arrested alongside 155 adults and 74 children rescued.
Opening statements in a New York federal trial accuse three Alexander brothers—two prominent NY/Miami real estate brokers—of raping and trafficking multiple women after enticing them with lavish trips and invitations to celebrity parties.
Two former staffers accuse veteran Spanish singer Julio Iglesias of human trafficking and sexual crimes, with a formal complaint filed in Spain alleging abuse at his properties in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Advocacy groups say the women faced harassment and excessive work conditions; prosecutors have six months (potentially more) to decide whether to proceed, and Iglesias has not publicly responded.
Southeast Asia's online scam industry remains resilient despite high-profile arrests and crackdowns, due to its complex, adaptable infrastructure rooted in illegal casinos and trafficking networks that exploit forced and willing labor across multiple countries, making dismantling efforts challenging.
The article reports on a person who was trapped in a suspected brothel, which has now been shut down permanently by city authorities, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat illegal activities and human trafficking.
At least 22 migrants died and 65 were injured when a lorry overturned in Ethiopia's Afar region, highlighting the dangers of perilous migration routes from the Horn of Africa to the Middle East, often driven by human trafficking and false promises.
China is intensifying its crackdown on international scam operations, particularly those based in Myanmar's Laukkaing region, which have exploited thousands of Chinese nationals through cyber scams, human trafficking, and violence. Recent efforts include public confessions of mafia leaders and arrests of thousands, aiming to deter future crimes and restore national security. The crackdown highlights the complex issue of Chinese-run scam centers abroad and China's efforts to combat this damaging industry.
The article exposes the extensive and complex scam industry in Southeast Asia, where trafficked and willing workers operate in large compounds, often under protection of local elites, to carry out online scams targeting victims worldwide, resulting in billions of dollars lost and ongoing efforts to dismantle these operations.
JP Morgan warned the US government in 2019 about over $1 billion in transactions linked to Jeffrey Epstein, some possibly related to human trafficking, involving prominent figures, but no charges have been filed against those named. The bank's alerts, filed during the Trump administration, highlight concerns about Epstein's financial activities and relationships with influential individuals.
Nearly 700 foreigners, mainly from India and China, fled Myanmar and crossed into Thailand following a military raid on KK Park, a notorious cybercrime and human trafficking hub run by Chinese-backed gangs. Thailand detained 677 individuals and is processing their legal status, as the area is known for online scams and trafficking activities involving multiple countries.
South Korea has issued a travel ban to parts of Cambodia following the death of a student believed to be tortured in a scam compound, amid concerns over the widespread operation of illegal scam centers involving human trafficking, forced labor, and cyber fraud, with efforts underway to repatriate missing South Koreans and crack down on criminal networks.
A retired New York financier, Howard Rubin, and his assistant Jennifer Powers have been charged in a federal indictment with sex trafficking women, using force and coercion, and operating a trafficking network that included a BDSM 'dungeon' in Rubin's Manhattan penthouse. Rubin also faces bank fraud charges related to a mortgage for Powers's Texas home. The case highlights the serious legal consequences for sex trafficking and abuse.
A religious leader in Durham, David Taylor, was arrested in connection with a $50 million human trafficking and forced labor scheme involving call centers, psychological abuse, and the purchase of luxury items, with victims subjected to harsh punishments and forced to work long hours without pay. The FBI raid also targeted Michelle Brannon, and both face potential sentences of 20 to 60 years if convicted.
Two religious leaders, David Taylor and Michelle Brannon, were federally charged with running a forced labor and money laundering scheme through their organization, Kingdom of God Global Church, involving coercion, abuse, and the solicitation of tens of millions of dollars in donations, with victims subjected to physical and psychological abuse. They face serious charges including forced labor and money laundering, with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison.