By Kotie Geldenhuys; Images courtesy of Unsplash and Pixabay
In the secretive world of human trafficking for organ removal, fiction and reality often blur. Movies paint a vivid picture of victims waking up in bathtubs filled with ice, shocked to find a kidney missing. But the truth is far more insidious and complex. These sensationalised myths obscure the grim realities of how organ traffickers truly operate. Behind this horrific crime are sophisticated and highly organised infrastructure and criminal networks, deeply embedded in global operations that span continents. Traffickers, motivated by the promise of immense profit, cater to desperate recipients unwilling to endure the long waiting lists for legal transplants.
In the world of illegal organ trafficking, highly organised networks operate with unsettling precision. They attract victims through various means, including seemingly innocent local advertisements or social media. Recruiters, often former victims or trusted community figures, use deception to build trust with their victims. Once ensnared, victims become trapped in a global network that profits from their suffering, with their organs auctioned to the highest bidder (UNODC, nd).
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[This is only an extract of an article that is published in Servamus: December 2024. This article is available for purchase.]