The Hidden Crisis: Matt Friedman Breaks Down Modern Slavery and the Rise of Scam Compounds (Ep 28)

In this powerful episode of Stolen, Erin West sits down with global anti-trafficking expert Matt Friedman—CEO of the Mekong Club and one of the most experienced voices in the fight against modern slavery. Matt pulls back the curtain on the brutal realities of human trafficking, forced criminality inside scam compounds, and why the world is still failing the millions of people trapped in these systems. Together, Erin and Matt dig into: How trafficking “evolved” into forced criminality in Southeast Asian scam compounds The staggering scale of modern slavery—and why we're rescuing only 0.2% of victims The violence, torture, and psychological devastation inside these scam centers Why banks, businesses, and everyday people have a bigger role to play than they realize What it actually takes to wake up the world to this crisis The hope, the frustration, and the path forward If you've ever wondered how scams, trafficking, and global criminal networks intersect—or what you personally can do to help—this conversation is raw, urgent, and impossible to ignore. Subscribe to Stolen for straight truth, survivor-centered storytelling, and bold conversations about the scamdemic and the people fighting back.