Melanie Higgins, Chargée d'affaires by interim at the United States Embassy, discusses the realities of combating human trafficking. "Trapped by online scams." This is the theme chosen this year for the World Day Against Human Trafficking, celebrated yesterday at the Panorama Hotel in Antananarivo. Organized by the National Bureau to Combat Human Trafficking (BNLTEH), the ceremony highlighted a new form of exploitation gaining ground in Madagascar. "Unfortunately, Madagascar is also affected by this new phenomenon," declared Melanie Higgins, Chargée d'affaires by interim at the United States Embassy, sounding the alarm. She notably mentioned fraudulent call centers already reported by the press this year. Young people recruited through fake job offers find themselves subsequently monitored, indebted, and forced to commit online fraud. Despite this emerging threat, progress is being recorded in the fight against human trafficking. In 2025, Madagascar regained "category 2" status in the American human trafficking report, after three years on the watchlist. "This is due to government efforts in 2024 and 2025 to enforce laws against traffickers and protect victims," emphasized the diplomat. She also praised "the government's commitment to fighting this scourge" and the work of the BNLTEH. Facing this digital threat, the United States reaffirms its support for Madagascar, notably through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), to strengthen law enforcement capacity. "Faced with such a serious danger, no country can tackle it alone," concluded Melanie Higgins. Ihariana Sarobidy