A woman who has had multiple run-ins with suspected human traffickers has revealed the five questions that raised the alarm – and ultimately saved her life.
When Yasmina applied for a job advertised on Craigslist, she never thought it would end up with her almost being trafficked.
It’s one of the few instances the 28-year-old has experienced in her life, all of which could’ve gone very differently had she not spotted the warning signs.
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In the UK, modern slavery and human trafficking referrals reached record levels in 2026, with over 6,003 referrals recorded between January and March.
And last year, over 23,000 potential victims were identified.
Yasmina now dedicates her time on social media to raising awareness about the tactics profilers often use, along with the questions that are usually asked, to warn people before it’s too late.
“Sometimes, I was alone and other times, I was with a friend – it can happen whenever, wherever,” the content creator told Need To Know.
“The encounters I’ve had have been so particular that it’s clear these men didn’t have good intentions.
“I was never trafficked, but that’s because I was vigilant enough to get myself out of these situations.
“But this isn’t the case for other women, who may fall for the trap.
“Especially those who are young and vulnerable.”
Yasmina, who lives in the Caribbean, had just turned 18 years old and had moved to Paris for her studies in international business law.
She decided to get a part-time gig as a personal shopper, so she began scouting online advertisements.
Then, she came across one that seemed perfect – or so she thought.
Yasmina said: “The easiest way for me to find a job was Craigslist, given the intense timetable at university.
“I came across a job posting that mentioned a company was looking for personal shoppers who would be required to shop luxury items for VIP clients.
“The description was very specific; it mentioned applicants had to be female and between 18 and 25.
“I didn’t give it much thought at the time, so I applied.
“I was invited to a first interview in a classical Parisian building where they explained the concept.
“They’d provide me with the money to purchase a bag, and I’d receive commission for each one.
“On the second appointment, we discussed next steps.
“It took place in a coffee shop, and they said I’d have a makeover to look like a luxury client, so I would blend in easily while shopping.
“All sounded great – until they said to ensure I wouldn’t run off with the money, I would need to hand over my passport.
“I said I didn’t have it on me.
“I was afraid if they took my passport, I would be kidnapped and use this as leverage to force me into a dangerous situation.”
Yasmina left the interview and never contacted them again.
Other instances include an old man sitting next to her, asking for information about the Metro.
She said: “He began telling me about his sick wife and that they didn’t have enough money for her treatment.
“I was only a student, so I didn’t have anything to give.
“He then started asking about my personal life, such as my age and whether I had a boyfriend or not.
“When it came to his stop, he said he would get off with me.
“The old man then told me about a game he has with his wife, where he meets young girls, takes a picture of them and sends them to her to make her jealous.
“He took my picture, and while he did, I began running.”
Yasmina claims she’s had reports from other girls saying the man has been seen on the Metro doing the same thing before.
She said: “Another time, a homeless woman with a crying baby walked up to me asking to buy milk.
“She’s pretty well known around the area now.
“But I answered her, as I didn’t know any better, and I was taken to the railway supermarket, where there was no milk.
“She insisted I follow her to a pharmacy.
“I didn’t go because it was located behind the railway, which is a secluded area.
“A few days later, I saw her again with several other women doing the same thing.”
Yasmina has also had run-ins with fake taxi drivers.
She says her top tips are to never trust a stranger – and to always look out for these five questions:
How old are you?
Where are you from?
Do you have family in the city?
Do you have a boyfriend or roommate?
Do you have a job or go to university?
She added: “They tend to target younger individuals.
“I was targeted more when I was younger, freshly out of university, than after the age of 25.
“Some countries have higher press coverage when their citizens go missing.
“So some profilers wouldn’t target women from those countries, as the risk would be higher.
“They also consider that university students or jobless females are more financially vulnerable and easy to target with promising fake job opportunities.
“Always share your location with a close friend, especially when going out late at night or taking a taxi.
“Don’t use public transportation at night, or at least not alone.
“And always double-check behind you when entering your home to ensure no one is trying to follow you inside.
“Also, don’t share personal information with strangers met in public, even if they appear to be trustworthy.
“And don’t use Craigslist for quick and easy jobs or side hustles.”
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