Beyond the Scam – Inside the Networks of Forced Criminality

Part 2 of The Human Cost of Scam Centers Guest: Erin West, Founder of Operation Shamrock (https://operationshamrock.org/)Scam centers have become one of the fastest-growing forms of organised crime — but behind the fake accounts and stolen money is a darker reality: people trafficked, tortured, and forced to commit fraud under threat of violence.In this episode, Helen is joined by co-host Mechelle Moore and special guest Erin West — founder of Operation Shamrock — to go beyond the headlines and expose the systems enabling forced criminality. From cryptocurrency to corruption, we unpack how trafficking has evolved, why global action is still lagging, and what it will take to stop this.If we want to understand the true scale of this crisis, we have to look deeper — at law, money, and the hidden human cost.Support the showPublished by Asia Freedom Network. The Human Trace is produced to spark real conversations, amplify unheard stories, and trace the human impact behind global issues. Helen Avadiar-Nimbalker is a trauma specialist, anti-trafficking strategist, and Director of the Asia Freedom Network. She is the founder of The Whispering Willow and CEO of Rise Foundation Asia — two organisations providing trauma-informed, community-based support for survivors of exploitation across Southeast Asia. With over two decades of experience, Helen has supported displaced communities, led survivor care initiatives, advised governments and civil society on systems reform, and shaped regional conversations on human rights, trauma, and justice. Connect: linkedin.com/in/helenavadiarnimbalkerLearn more at asiafreedomnetwork.org and follow us on Instagram & LinkedIn @asiafreedomnetwork.