A trafficking survivor has told how he has been “overwhelmed” by pleas for help from other victims.
Abdul Mkith, 29, was forced to work as a drug mule when he was brought to the UK from Bangladesh when he was just 10.
He ended up smuggling narcotics from the mainland to the Western Isles before being rescued by police in Ullapool, in Wester Ross, two years later.
Now working offshore, Abdul told how about 20 victims of human trafficking contacted him last year looking for help after he put his phone number online.
He said he recently heard from four men who are enslaved on a fishing boat in Scotland and from several women who are being sexually exploited.
Wick-based Abdul, who campaigns against modern slavery, said: “It’s quite hard for people to come forward because they are scared.
"They think bad things are going to happen. When they see someone fighting for awareness of modern slavery, they want me to help them to get out of their situation.
“I had a phone call from a 29-year-old woman who sounded like she is from the Philippines.
“A Scottish guy married her and promised her everything. He brought her over here, took her passport away and then was using her as a sex slave.
“Another woman told me she was 22 and had come to Scotland on a student visa someone had got for her.
“That person took her to a place around Glasgow, which is a nail bar by day and a brothel by night. She was made to work there and her visa ran out. She has no money and does not know what to do.
“It can be overwhelming but if I can save one person’s life, I’ll be happy.”
Victims found out about Abdul after he promoted his book – The Locket And A Five Taka Note – on YouTube and published his contact details.
The book reveals how his family agreed to send him to live in the UK with family friends because they thought he would be safe from crime gang bosses who threatened his dad.
But he was sold into slavery when he arrived in London and later saved during a drug raid. His foster parents helped him track down his parents, who he thought were dead.
Dr Alister Bull, of anti-slavery charity called Hope for Justice, said the public should not tackle trafficking on their own.
He added: “The important message we need to get out is that there are key ways to respond to modern slavery.
"If there is immediate danger, contact 999. We don’t want people to be putting themselves in danger.”
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