Over the past few years, The Exodus Road has built a team of expert cyber investigators who specialize in analyzing Open-Source (OSINT) indicators of human trafficking crime. Our cyber investigators have prepared and delivered dozens of target packages to police while developing increasingly effective protocols for identifying and countering trafficking. We are celebrating a significant milestone for this team! They took the lead on an investigation that resulted in freedom for a young woman in Latin America, who was exploited for labor in a country in Southeast Asia.
Vera* was a mom needing ways to support herself and her kids. When a family member in Southeast Asia offered her a job at his bar, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. So Vera got on a plane, flying toward her hope for a new future.
But when she landed, her hope evaporated. Her family member paid her far below the agreed-upon salary, offering too little to live on. He accused her of accruing a travel debt and demanded repayment. Vera found herself trapped in forced labor, in debt bondage to her family member. He threatened her with his powerful connections with local governing authorities: if you try to leave or tell anyone, I’ll destroy your life.
The father of Vera’s children was still in her life. He felt deeply uneasy about the signs he was seeing. So he reached out to The Exodus Road’s team for assistance.
Our cyber investigations team quickly went to work, gathering evidence and coordinating with government officials. They built an escape path, a plan that would bring Vera back home to Latin America and her children.
Our cyber investigations team gathers evidence and coordinates with government officials—creating escape plans that bring survivors home.
But first, Vera had to get her passport— which her trafficker had taken and hidden.
Everything hinged on Vera’s incredible bravery in eluding her trafficker to take her passport back. She waited for an opportunity when he was away from home. Then she acted, sneaking in to reclaim her documents.
Eventually, Vera made it home.
This is a landmark case for The Exodus Road’s cyber investigations team. It’s an example of how technology can be used for immense good. In this case, powerful skillsets combined with credible Open-Source intelligence allowed us to digital trace a case through several countries until freedom was made real. Thank you for being part of empowering this forward momentum in the fight against trafficking!
