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Cyber-Enabled Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia: A New Frontier of Exploitation

IJCLS (Indonesian Journal of Criminal Law Studies) · Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026) · pp. 515–554

DOI
10.15294/ijcls.v11i1.37557
ISSN
2548-1576, 2548-1568
Published
2026-05-09
Publisher
Universitas Negeri Semarang
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Abstract

Human trafficking in ASEAN has evolved into a hybrid system that combines traditional forms of exploitation with rapidly expanding digital infrastructures. Despite growing attention to trafficking and cybercrime, limited research explains how digital technologies structurally reshape trafficking operations across Southeast Asia. This study addresses this gap by analysing the intersection of trafficking and cyber-enabled crime, focusing on online recruitment, encrypted communication, and digital financial systems. The research employs a qualitative design integrating doctrinal legal analysis, comparative case studies, and socio-digital mapping of trafficking patterns across selected ASEAN countries. It draws on regional legal instruments, national regulations, and documented cross-border cases. The findings reveal that cyber-enabled trafficking accelerates victim recruitment, strengthens transnational coordination, and increases profitability through mechanisms such as scam compounds, livestreamed exploitation, and cryptocurrency-based laundering. At the same time, ASEAN responses remain constrained by fragmented cybercrime laws, limited digital forensic capacity, and weak cross-border cooperation. This study contributes an integrated analytical framework linking legal-institutional gaps with evolving digital practices and offers policy-relevant recommendations, including harmonised cybercrime definitions, enhanced regional data systems, and strengthened investigative collaboration.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

22 authors · 53 co-authorship links

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Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Citra HennidaAffiliation unknown3
Kandi Aryani SuwitoAffiliation unknown3
Seokkyu KimAffiliation unknown3
IRFAN WAHYUDIAffiliation unknown2
Rachmah IdaAffiliation unknown2
Toetik KoesbardiatiAffiliation unknown2
Dina SunyowatiAffiliation unknown2
Pradnya Paramitha Putri AriadhiAffiliation unknown2
Agung SujatmikoAffiliation unknown1
Patrick KeizerAffiliation unknown1
Christoph AntonsAffiliation unknown1
Bambang Sugeng Ariadi SubagyonoAffiliation unknown1
Zahry Vandawati ChumaidaAffiliation unknown1
Bambang SuheryadiAffiliation unknown1
Noureldin Samy ElkhashabAffiliation unknown1
Hadi SusantoNational Research and Innovation Agency1
Siti KhanafiyahAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/ijcls/oai, first harvested 5 Nov 2026, last seen 5 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Cyber-Enabled Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia: A New Frontier of Exploitation</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Mochamad Kevin Romadhona</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Kinasih, Sri Endah</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Eni Sugiarti</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Oktafenanda, Rachmat Dimas</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Alfadhel, Alaa Basil Baqer</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Trafficking in Person</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Labor Migration</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Cybercrime</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">ASEAN Framework</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">Human trafficking in ASEAN has evolved into a hybrid system that combines traditional forms of exploitation with rapidly expanding digital infrastructures. Despite growing attention to trafficking and cybercrime, limited research explains how digital technologies structurally reshape trafficking operations across Southeast Asia. This study addresses this gap by analysing the intersection of trafficking and cyber-enabled crime, focusing on online recruitment, encrypted communication, and digital financial systems. The research employs a qualitative design integrating doctrinal legal analysis, comparative case studies, and socio-digital mapping of trafficking patterns across selected ASEAN countries. It draws on regional legal instruments, national regulations, and documented cross-border cases. The findings reveal that cyber-enabled trafficking accelerates victim recruitment, strengthens transnational coordination, and increases profitability through mechanisms such as scam compounds, livestreamed exploitation, and cryptocurrency-based laundering. At the same time, ASEAN responses remain constrained by fragmented cybercrime laws, limited digital forensic capacity, and weak cross-border cooperation. This study contributes an integrated analytical framework linking legal-institutional gaps with evolving digital practices and offers policy-relevant recommendations, including harmonised cybercrime definitions, enhanced regional data systems, and strengthened investigative collaboration.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Universitas Negeri Semarang</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2026-05-09</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/ijcls/article/view/37557</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.15294/ijcls.v11i1.37557</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">IJCLS (Indonesian Journal of Criminal Law Studies); Vol. 11 No. 1 (2026): Indonesia J. Crim. L. Studies (May, 2026); 515-554</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2548-1576</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2548-1568</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.15294/ijcls.v11i1</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/ijcls/article/view/37557/9609</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2026 Mochamad Kevin Romadhona, Sri Endah Kinasih, Eni Sugiarti, Rachmat Dimas Oktafenanda, Alaa Basil Baqer Alfadhel (Author)</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>