Nexus Between Forced Scamming and Sextortion of Children

This research report by International Justice Mission investigates the connection between two emerging crime types: forced scamming and financially-motivated sextortion of children. Funded by Safe Online and the Thomson Reuters Social Impact Institute, the research analyzes data from CyberTipline Reports submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children from January 2022 to August 2024. The study identifies a significant overlap between IP addresses linked to forced scamming locations in Southeast Asia and those involved in online enticement cases. It documents findings from 18,017 CyberTipline Reports and highlights 493 reports likely connected to these locations. The report outlines the methodology used for data analysis and emphasizes the necessity for continued investigation into the intersection of these crime types. It also discusses the broader implications of forced scamming, which combines elements of human trafficking and cyber-enabled financial fraud, and the urgent need for enhanced cooperation among law enforcement and digital platforms to combat these issues effectively.