"I just had a normal life, and then it slowly dissolved into hell. After he was unknowingly befriended by criminals, he was pulled into a world of coercion, fear and criminal exploitation. The men he believed were friends took over his home, manipulated him into travelling abroad to smuggle drugs, and ultimately cost him his relationship with his loved ones."
"Modern slavery is the illegal exploitation of victims who are forced to work for little, or no, pay - including forced labour and criminal activity. New Home Office figures show reports of such exploitation in London have increased by almost 10% in 2025, compared with 2024."
"I crave affection and having friends because I never had it growing up. After years of feeling lonely, he was being invited to social events. It felt like I suddenly had a friendship circle. They didn't look like people who were criminals, they didn't look like bad people, they were family people."
"Cuckooing, a modern slavery offence which involves taking over a vulnerable person's home for criminal activity. It all went weirdly downhill; they started getting aggressive, demanding. They just took over."
Modern slavery involves illegal exploitation of victims forced to work for little or no pay, including forced labour and criminal activity. London reports show a nearly 10% increase in 2025 compared to 2024. Vulnerable individuals, particularly those who are neurodivergent or socially isolated, are targeted through deliberate befriending by criminals. Once trust is established, perpetrators gradually escalate control, taking over victims' homes and coercing them into criminal activities like drug smuggling. This process, known as cuckooing, involves criminals obtaining keys to properties and using them for illegal operations. Victims experience manipulation, aggression, and loss of autonomy, ultimately suffering severe consequences including damaged relationships and psychological trauma.
Read at www.bbc.com
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