Purpose This paper aims to explore the relationship between human trafficking brokers and trafficking victims by using examples from both the international labour and human organ trafficking industries. It proposes an evolution in the brokerage process from geographic to online networks and how this alters the nature of the relationships between parties. The study aims to expand the understanding of contemporary trafficking brokerage networks in developing areas.

Design/methodology/approach The paper opted for an ethnographic study which involved living among trafficking victims in 21 developing countries during the period of 2008-2015; 17 cases are presented as exemplars of the trafficking industry environment, told from the perspective of both trafficking victims and the brokers who have profited from them. The data were complemented by commentary, which developed common themes across both labour and human organ trafficking.

Findings The paper provides insights about how change in the brokerage process is brought about by the shift from geographic to online networks. It suggests that trafficking operations have learned how to use online social media and the dark Web. Moreover, it illustrates the impact of these networks on the power imbalance in human trafficking and the experience of its victims.

Research limitations/implications The study is limited to labour and human organ trafficking in developing nations, but the concepts may have wider implications in other forms of human trafficking.

Practical implications The paper includes implications for the development of a framework to understand the impact of online trafficking networks.

Originality/value This paper fulfils an identified need to study how human trafficking networks are evolving in the digital age.