The administration of Bulgaria’s National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings received 38 reports during the first six months of 2026. A total of 60 people were identified or informally recognized as victims in connection with these reports, including 17 children. For all of 2025, the number of identified victims was 89, the Commission said at the official launch of the “Escape Room on Wheels Bulgaria 2026” initiative.
A particularly notable trend is the rise in labour exploitation. A total of 23 victims of labour exploitation and 23 victims of sexual exploitation were recorded. The data show that human trafficking is increasingly linked to promises of employment, better living conditions and new opportunities. At the same time, the internet and social media are becoming important tools for recruitment, building trust and exerting control, the Commission said.
Bulgaria is increasingly not only a country of origin but also a destination for victims of human trafficking. The growth in labour migration creates new opportunities for abuse, particularly when the promised working conditions differ significantly from those actually provided.
Men are increasingly among the victims, specifically because of the rise in cases of labour exploitation, including in construction, agriculture, manufacturing and logistics. This does not mean that sexual exploitation is declining, the Commission stressed, but rather that cases of labour exploitation are increasing significantly.
The internet is changing the way traffickers reach potential victims. Recruitment can now begin on almost any online platform, including social media, chat applications, job websites and dating platforms. Children and young people are particularly vulnerable. Perpetrators may pose as peers, friends or potential employers, build trust and gradually draw people into risky situations.
The development of artificial intelligence is adding a new dimension to this risk. Fake profiles, images, videos and voice messages can increasingly be created in a convincing manner. Digital literacy and critical thinking are therefore becoming increasingly important elements of prevention.
The Commission identified the following potential warning signs: unusually high pay with minimal requirements, the absence of a written contract, refusal to provide specific information about the employer, pressure to leave immediately, demands for a quick decision, retention of personal documents, restrictions on freedom of movement, and discrepancies between promised and actual working conditions.
Sexual exploitation may be preceded by the development of an emotional relationship, psychological or economic dependence, and the gradual transformation of trust into control. Human trafficking very rarely begins with violence. It often begins with trust, the Commission emphasized.
Financial difficulties, job seeking, the desire for a better life, emotional dependence or lack of information may all be factors exploited by criminal networks.
The National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings funds seven specialized services – four residential and three consultative services in Varna, Burgas and Sofia, providing psychological, social and legal assistance.
Official statistics cover only cases that come to the attention of institutions and in which people are identified as victims. There are also cases that go unreported, the Commission added.
Earlier on Monday, the interactive “Escape Room on Wheels Bulgaria 2026” initiative aimed at preventing human trafficking was launched at Gina Kuncheva Square in Sofia.
The initiative’s first edition was held in 11 Bulgarian cities as part of 13 events and reached more than 1,500 participants.
38 Human Trafficking Reports Received in Bulgaria in First Half of 2026, Commission Says 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-09-21 11:30:59
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