Myth vs Reality: Part Four

Several videos have gone viral on social media perpetrating the myth that traffickers have set traps to target people for kidnapping.

Such sensational videos have claimed that a trafficker would target victims by leaving a rose or a toy on their windshield, and then kidnap them as the person pauses to examine it. A similarly inaccurate video suggested that traffickers would leave an empty car seat and (article link): “they want you to go up to that car seat and look around and they will snatch you really quick. It’s a ploy.” This isn’t true. This is not how trafficking occurs – and myths like this do harm!  Very few cases of human trafficking involve kidnapping, and Love146 has never seen any of the traps described in these videos and posts. Oftentimes, traffickers target people who are already vulnerable (e.g., homeless youth) or lure their victims to “voluntarily” leave their homes after grooming them and making false promises of love, care, and money. These posts and videos unnecessarily scare people and spread myths about human trafficking, hindering the identification of actual victims. 

They also waste the scarce time and resources of anti-trafficking organizations, like Love146, that have to refute such claims. Following posts like this, the National Human Trafficking Hotline often experiences an increased number of erroneous calls that tie up their phone lines hindering actual victims from getting through. 

When you see social media stories with shocking and scary information about trafficking, pause. Check reputable sources and anti-trafficking organizations you trust before sharing it.