Understanding the Intersection of Forced Scamming and Child Labor in Southeast Asia

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) is seeking input to better understand the intersection of forced scamming and child labor in Southeast Asia. The goal is to inform future programming focused on this issue. ILAB is looking for information on the types of online scams, the factors that increase children’s vulnerability to forced scamming, and the role of digital platforms in facilitating and mitigating the involvement of children in these scams. The RFI also seeks input on opportunities for improving the enforcement of laws related to online scams, trafficking for forced criminality, and child labor, as well as promising practices for addressing this issue. • The RFI is focused on Southeast Asia, where transnational criminal networks are engaging in sophisticated forced scamming operations. • The rise of digital transformation has led to an increase in trafficking for forced criminality in online scam operations. • Children are being exploited in these scams, and there is a need to understand the scope and nature of this intersection. • The RFI seeks input on research gaps, promising approaches, and practices for addressing the intersection of online scam operations, forced criminality, and child labor. • Responses to the RFI should be sent by email to Carter Quinley at [email protected] no later than January 15, 2025.