People smuggling is a term which is used to describe the illegal and organised smuggling of people across international boundaries, usually for financial gain. Interpol, in a recent communication, described people smuggling as follows:

People smuggling has become the preferred trade of a growing number of criminal networks world-wide which are showing an increasing sophistication in regard to move larger numbers of people at higher profits than ever.

People smugglers are often used by refugees fleeing persecution in desperate circumstances.

In the Southwest United States, a "coyote" is a person paid to smuggle illegal aliens across the border between Mexico and the United States. Snakeheads are smugglers from China who smuggle people into the United States and other Western countries.

"Human trafficking" differs from people smuggling. A people smuggler will facilitate illegal entry into a country for a fee, but on arrival at their destination, the smuggled person is usually free. Trafficking involves a process of using physical force, fraud or deception to obtain and transport people. Women, who form the majority of trafficking victims, are particularly at risk from criminals who exploit lack of opportunities, promise good jobs or opportunities for study, and then force the victims to be prostitutes. To many, the contemporary phenomenon of trafficking in human beings is equivalent to slavery.

See also

See also

• Abu Quassey
• Immigration

Human migration | Smuggling | Illegal occupations

Mensensmokkel | Menneskesmugling

External links

• Ansar Burney Trust - Organisation working against human smuggling and trafficking
• Havocscope Human Smuggling Market