(Warning signs for young people)

Young people should be very careful when strangers, or even people they know, come to them with unusually attractive sounding propositions.

The following are all signs that a human trafficker may be trying to lure you into a life of exploitation, prostitution, forced labour, and maybe even death.

Does a job offer or some other opportunity seem too good to be true?

Are you being promised lots of money, a great life, and lots of material goods?

Are you being chosen because you are young, good looking, or of a particular sex?

Are you being told that it does not matter that you have no skills or qualifications?

Is somebody offering to pay your travel expenses, saying you can repay them once you start working?

Will someone get travel and/or identification documents for you?

Are these documents legal or fake (illegal)?

If you have a passport, have you been told to give it to somebody who will 'keep it safe' for you?

If you are to go abroad, will you be illegal in the other country?

Are you unable to give your family and friends exact information about who is taking you, where you will be working and how to get in touch with you?

Are you being told what to say to officials at airports or sea ports?

Are you being urged to lie?

Will the journey be dangerous? Will you have to hide or travel only at night?

Is there fear of the police?

If the answer to any of these questions is 'YES', get away from the person or persons making you such offers, stay far from them, and report your suspicions to the police.

Remember, you CAN get ahead in life, but it takes hard work. Don't trust offers that sound too good.

Material provided by People's Action for Community Transformation (PACT) through the Anti-Trafficking Three project, funded by USAID.