LIBERIA ANTI-TRAFFICKING INITIATIVE CALLS FOR URGENT GOVERNMENT ACTION AS LIBERIANS FACE RISING TRAFFICKING AND SCAM RISKS

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Date: August 15, 2026

LIBERIA ANTI-TRAFFICKING INITIATIVE CALLS FOR URGENT GOVERNMENT ACTION AS LIBERIANS FACE RISING TRAFFICKING AND SCAM RISKS

MONROVIA, LIBERIA — The Liberia Anti-Trafficking and Scam Victims Support Initiative [LATSVSI] is calling on the Government of Liberia to take urgent and concrete measures to protect citizens from human trafficking, irregular migration, and scam-related exploitation.

The organization says its ongoing victim-support and awareness activities continue to identify Liberians who have fallen victim to trafficking and fraudulent migration schemes.

Many victims, it says, were misled by individuals and networks promising opportunities to travel to Canada, Australia, Europe, the United States, and other destinations.

According to LATSVSI, institutions working with affected communities have documented hundreds of Liberians who are currently stranded and experiencing serious hardship in several African countries after being deceived by recruitment agents and other intermediaries.

The organization is urging the government to increase funding for nationwide public education and prevention programs, particularly in vulnerable communities across Liberia’s 15 counties.

Such programs, it says, should provide accurate information about the dangers of human trafficking, irregular migration, fraudulent travel arrangements, and other forms of exploitation.

“Too many Liberians are being placed at risk because of misinformation, deceptive recruitment practices, and false promises of overseas opportunities,” LATSVSI said. “The government must act quickly to strengthen prevention, protect vulnerable citizens, support victims, and hold perpetrators accountable.”

LATSVSI further called for stronger coordination among government institutions, civil society organizations, law-enforcement agencies, communities, and international partners to improve victim identification, protection, referral services, and public awareness.

The organization emphasized that trafficking and migration-related scams are not confined to a single community or county, but represent a growing national concern requiring a coordinated response.

LATSVSI said it remains committed to raising public awareness, identifying and supporting victims, and working with partners across Liberia and the wider West African region to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable people from exploitation.

The organization is appealing to the Government of Liberia and relevant stakeholders to treat the issue as an urgent national priority and invest in sustained prevention, victim-support, and public education initiatives.

CONTACT US / REPORT A CASE
Liberia Anti-Trafficking and Scam Victims Support Initiative [LATSVSI]
14th Street, Gibson Avenue, Monrovia, Liberia
Hotline: +231 8818 24711
Tel: +231 775 718 316 / +231 886 959 535
Email: info@latsvsi.org |contact@latsvsi.org
Website: www.latsvsi.org
Motto: Together, Through Prevention, We Can Save Lives

Remember: VERIFY BEFORE YOU TRAVEL. If you suspect trafficking or a scam, call 08818 24711