Wednesday 29 / July / 2026
MUSCAT: Oman has warned that fake overseas job offers are increasingly being used by human trafficking networks to lure victims into forced labour, cybercrime and other forms of exploitation, as the Sultanate joins the international community in observing World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30.
Under this year's global theme, "Trapped in the Fraud Trap," authorities said criminal networks are increasingly exploiting digital platforms to deceive people with promises of lucrative employment before trapping them in exploitative conditions or coercing them into online fraud schemes.
Sheikh Khalifa Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Political Affairs and Chairman of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking, said the annual observance is an opportunity to renew the collective commitment to protecting human dignity and combating one of the world's most serious transnational crimes.
He stressed that human trafficking is not merely a legal violation but a direct assault on human freedom and fundamental rights.
Al Harthy said Oman follows a comprehensive national strategy based on four key pillars—prevention, protection, prosecution and institutional partnership—with victims' rights and safety at the centre of all efforts.
He noted that the Law on Combating Human Trafficking, issued under Royal Decree No. 78/2025, has strengthened the country's legal framework by addressing emerging forms of trafficking while expanding protection for victims.
Highlighting this year's theme, Al Harthy said traffickers are increasingly using fraudulent recruitment advertisements to entice victims with attractive job offers abroad before forcing them into criminal activities, including online fraud. He said tackling these evolving threats requires stronger international cooperation, intelligence sharing and cross-border judicial and security coordination.
He reaffirmed Oman's commitment to working closely with regional and international partners to prevent human trafficking, protect victims and bring offenders to justice.
Brigadier Jamal Habib Al Quraishi, Director General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigations at the Royal Oman Police (ROP), said the annual observance also aims to raise public awareness about the dangers of human trafficking, encourage reporting of suspected cases and strengthen cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the community.
He said human trafficking cases in Oman remain limited, but authorities continue to treat every case as a serious crime that violates human dignity and human rights.
According to Al Quraishi, traffickers are increasingly exploiting victims through sophisticated online scams. Individuals are lured by fake overseas employment opportunities and, upon arrival, are confined in facilities where they are forced to participate in cyber-enabled crimes, including romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud and other online financial scams.
He said common forms of trafficking also include forced labour, withholding of passports, non-payment of wages, excessive working hours, sexual exploitation and other abusive practices.
Al Quraishi revealed that the Royal Oman Police recently dismantled a criminal network that recruited victims under the guise of overseas employment before forcing them to smuggle narcotics internationally by swallowing drug-filled capsules.
The gang members were arrested in Muscat Governorate after investigators tracked one victim arriving at Muscat International Airport carrying narcotics concealed inside his body. Authorities also foiled another attempt by the network to smuggle drugs out of Oman.
He said the Royal Oman Police works closely with the Public Prosecution and other government agencies to identify trafficking indicators, investigate cases, gather evidence and protect victims through an integrated response system. Victims are provided with medical and psychological care, legal assistance, confidential handling of their cases and safe shelter in coordination with the Ministry of Social Development.
Al Quraishi added that Oman also cooperates with international organizations, including Interpol, the GCC Police, Europol and the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, to exchange intelligence, investigate criminal networks and strengthen implementation of international conventions related to combating human trafficking.
The law prescribes imprisonment ranging from three to 10 years and fines between OMR5,000 and OMR 100,000 for human trafficking offences. Penalties increase to seven to 15 years' imprisonment when aggravating circumstances exist, including crimes involving children, organized criminal groups or public officials. Courts may also confiscate assets used in trafficking offences and suspend the activities of companies found responsible.
Authorities said technology is playing an increasingly important role in combating trafficking through the use of artificial intelligence and data analysis to detect suspicious recruitment advertisements, identify trafficking patterns and improve communication with victims through real-time translation tools.
Employers and recruitment agencies were urged to comply fully with labour regulations by providing clear employment contracts, paying wages on time, respecting working hours, refraining from withholding passports, ensuring proper accommodation and healthcare, and reporting suspected trafficking cases. Authorities also warned against the misuse or sale of employment visas.
The Royal Oman Police noted that workers violating labour or residency laws, particularly domestic workers, remain among the groups most vulnerable to trafficking, alongside children exploited in isolated begging cases.
Calling on the public to play an active role, Al Quraishi urged citizens and residents to verify job offers before accepting them, avoid dealing with unlicensed recruitment agents, report suspected trafficking through official channels and help raise awareness about the dangers of human trafficking.
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on July 30, seeks to strengthen global efforts to prevent trafficking, protect victims and reinforce international cooperation against one of the fastest-evolving forms of organized crime.
