Muscat – The National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking (NCCHT) has warned of the growing use of fake overseas job offers to lure victims into human trafficking and cybercrime, as the sultanate marks the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30 with renewed calls for stronger international cooperation to combat the crime.

H E Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Foreign Ministry and Chairman of the NCCHT, said this year’s global theme – Trapped Behind the Scam – reflects the increasing exploitation of victims through fraudulent recruitment schemes that force them into online scams and other criminal activities.

He said Oman had adopted an integrated national approach based on prevention, victim protection, prosecution and institutional partnerships, placing the rights and safety of victims at the centre of its response.

H E Al Harthy said the Anti-Human Trafficking Law, issued under Royal Decree 78/2025, has strengthened the country’s legal framework by expanding protections for victims and addressing evolving forms of trafficking. He added that Oman continues to work with regional and international partners to prevent trafficking, prosecute offenders and uphold human dignity.

Brig Gen Jamal bin Habib Al Quraishi, Director General of Criminal Investigation and Research at Royal Oman Police (ROP), said organised criminal groups are increasingly using fake employment advertisements to recruit victims, who are later coerced into cyber-enabled crimes, including online fraud and cryptocurrency scams.

He said human trafficking cases remain limited in Oman, with authorities treating all forms of exploitation as serious criminal offences while prioritising victim protection and support.

Brig Gen Al Quraishi informed that this year, the ROP dismantled a criminal network that recruited victims with promises of lucrative overseas jobs before forcing them to smuggle narcotics internationally.

The gang was arrested in Muscat after police tracked one victim arriving at Muscat International Airport carrying narcotic capsules concealed inside his body. Authorities also foiled an attempt to smuggle another shipment of drugs out of the country.

He said the ROP works closely with the Public Prosecution and other government agencies to detect trafficking at airports and land border crossings, investigate organised criminal networks and implement awareness and training programmes under the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking.

The cooperation extends to international organisations, including Interpol, Europol, the Gulf Police Force and the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, to exchange intelligence, coordinate investigations and pursue transnational trafficking networks.

Under the 2025 law, offenders face three to ten years’ imprisonment and fines ranging from RO5,000 to RO100,000. Penalties increase to seven to 15 years if aggravating circumstances exist, including offences involving children, organised criminal groups or public officials. Courts may also confiscate assets linked to trafficking offences and suspend the activities of legal entities found responsible.

The ROP urged employers and recruitment agencies to comply with labour regulations, provide transparent employment contracts, pay wages on time, refrain from confiscating workers’ passports and report suspected trafficking cases. It also advised jobseekers to verify overseas employment offers through official channels and avoid dealing with unlicensed recruitment agents.