Noel Thomas has made it his life’s mission to expose and disrupt human trafficking networks. In an interview with Federal Newswire, Thomas discusses the ins and outs of the trafficking industry, the journey that sparked his mission, and how his organization Dark Watch is using technology to provide counter-trafficking solutions.
Thomas' journey began as a child when his younger sister was nearly abducted at a flea market. He said his dad was with his sister, who was 5 years old at the time. "He got bumped by a lady, and when he looked down … my sister was gone.”
His father’s quick action saved his sister from an attempted abduction. The experience, combined with later travels in India where Thomas witnessed police complicity in trafficking, solidified his dedication to counter-trafficking work. “All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing," he said.
His sister, after surviving the near-abduction, is an activist herself and fully supports his mission. In their early days, Thomas and his sister played in a Christian rock band, using the stage to speak out against human trafficking. “She was able to turn her story into a platform,” Thomas said.
A Global Challenge Requiring Large-Scale Responses
Today, Thomas operates on a larger stage in an effort to take on human trafficking on a global scale. According to Thomas, the human trafficking industry makes more than $150 billion a year, and an estimated 50 million people are enslaved worldwide.
“What’s often missed in that statistic is that this whole economy is funding cartels, funding terrorists, and funding organized crime," he said. Human trafficking “is a business enterprise on behalf of organized crime," according to Thomas.
The problem requires solutions across various fields, and new technology has become critical tool. Using artificial intelligence and analytics, Thomas' organization Dark Watch is able to gather intelligence on human trafficking and collect crucial data that can be shared.
AI is also being used to speed up outdated, manual processes in both corporate and law enforcement settings. “I went out on a raid with law enforcement and I noticed that they were manually looking online for this type of information … there’s incredible opportunity to use AI for good," Thomas said.
One of Dark Watch’s tools scans both the open web and deep web to identify signs of trafficking, a process Thomas described as following “digital exhaust” left by traffickers online.
Traffickers’ need to advertise reaches the online marketplace, which can provide clues to their operations. However, Thomas said shutting down the operations is difficult as many traffickers use offshore accounts and hosting.
"When Backpage and Craigslist escorts went away, it splintered into a bunch of tiny escort sites,” he said. The proliferation of sites has made it hard for regulators and law enforcement to keep up with traffickers’ evolving tactics.
A Multifaceted Problem That Implicates Businesses
While sex trafficking gets the most attention, labor trafficking is also a substantial component of the problem. It exists in diverse industries, from retail theft rings to hospitality and agriculture, and Thomas believes corporate accountability is a critical factor in stopping it.
According to Thomas, “a smuggled individual will be the one prosecuted … instead of the broader organized crime behind it.” While some corporations “don’t have the checks in place,” others, as he put it, “are actively knowing and participating in it.”
High-profile cases, such as JPMorgan’s $290 million fine for banking with Jeffrey Epstein, indicate how deep-rooted the problem is. “I think that really no one should be turning a blind eye to the fact that this is occurring in our neighborhoods … in corporations and companies that we know and respect,” Thomas said.
Political action also plays a part. From immigration reform to asset forfeiture, there are multiple policy areas that could strengthen anti-trafficking efforts.
“Increased asset forfeiture of the traffickers ... could go back and fund the counter-trafficking movement,” Thomas said, comparing the approach to past strategies in the war on drugs.
He also said that legislative actions should be bipartisan given that trafficking cuts across party lines.
Thomas stressed that general lack of resources creates a significant barrier for anti-trafficking efforts. “We’ve had a lot that was designated to the war on drugs and the war on terror,” he said, pointing out that drugs, terror, and human trafficking are often intertwined in organized crime networks. Yet, resources for fighting trafficking remain limited.
Education and public awareness campaigns also play a role. According to Thomas, recent cases of airline flight attendants identifying trafficking victims are a direct result of awareness efforts.
Thomas supports campaigns like See Something, Say Something, but sees them as just the beginning. "Every bit of awareness and getting the general public thinking about this is a huge step forward,” he said, but scaling technology and funding innovations must follow.
Expanding Dark Watch, and Seeking Help
Thomas remains hopeful and determined to expand Dark Watch’s impact. Recently rebranded from "Zero Trafficking" to "Dark Watch," the organization now tackles a broader scope of issues including money laundering and organized crime.
Those looking to support his mission can visit the Dark Watch website, DarkWatch.io. Thomas also pointed to his book, "Dark Traffic: The Dangerous Intersection of Technology, Crime, Money, Sex, and Humanity," which covers how organized crime operates and the technology that can help stop it.
According to Thomas, everyone can make a difference. "It’s the power of just one or a few people answering the call."
