Young people from across Bosnia and Herzegovina strengthened their skills to recognize and respond to trafficking into cyber scam operations during an OSCE workshop held in Sarajevo on 23-24 September 2026.
Organized jointly by the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Office of the Secretary General, and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, the workshop brought together around 25 young people from across the country.
Participants delved into the OSCE's youth and security agenda, learned how to identify deceptive recruitment tactics and red flags in fraudulent online job offers, use open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools to verify information, and create a roadmap for prevention in the OSCE region.
"More than 40 per cent of OSCE participating States are now affected by trafficking into cyber scam operations. In this context, young people have a dual role: they are among those most targeted by these operations and among those best placed to prevent them," said Kari Johnstone, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.
Through practical exercises and peer-to-peer learning, participants explored how cyber scam operations target young jobseekers and developed prevention messages and approaches they can share within their communities.
"While it is true that young people are uniquely vulnerable to becoming targets of technology-facilitated trafficking, young people are not only potential victims. They are also partners, innovators and agents of change who can contribute directly to the prevention of human trafficking," said Ambassador Rick Holtzapple, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Reflecting on the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to navigate an increasingly complex information environment, workshop participant Irina Vujasin said: "Knowledge, along with critical thinking, is the most powerful tool we can use to bring about change. This workshop in Sarajevo provided us with crucial information about human trafficking. Sharing this knowledge, as well as learning how to verify the information we encounter when looking for opportunities and solutions to everyday problems, can contribute to reducing the number of victims."
Building on these discussions, participants contributed their own perspectives and ideas to future prevention efforts, including ways to raise awareness among their peers and communities.
Following the workshop, participants will serve as Youth Ambassadors Against Forced Criminality in Cyber Scams, supporting peer-to-peer awareness and prevention efforts in their communities.
