This innovative piece of journalism sheds light on forced criminality, illegal migration, and the surge of online scams across Asia, such as the notorious “pig butchering” scam. Rather than relying on traditional storytelling methods, the journalist chose to amplify the voices of survivors through an immersive and interactive approach.

The project chronicles the harrowing journeys of five survivors—detailing their struggles, resilience, and ultimate rescue. To truly capture the depth of their experiences, the journalist developed a visual novel simulation that places readers in the shoes of these survivors. By adopting one of the roles, participants face the same dilemmas and choices the victims confronted, offering an unparalleled opportunity to empathize with their plight.

Accessible via smartphone, desktop, or computer, the interactive visual novel seamlessly engages users. For optimal experience, players are encouraged to use landscape mode on mobile devices and enable sound to fully immerse themselves in the narrative, enhanced by evocative audio elements.

At the conclusion of each storyline, readers transition to a meticulously crafted long-form article. These articles delve into the survivors’ real-life experiences, the widespread nature of the scams, and the devastating reality of forced criminality. Expert commentary underscores the urgency of addressing this crisis and outlines actionable solutions.

By merging storytelling with technology, this project not only informs but also compels its audience to confront the complexities of forced migration and the human cost of these scams. The story was shortlisted by the International Organization for Migration for an outstanding piece of journalism and it was also selected by DW Akademie to be presented at its annual Beyond Borders (migration conference).