Authorities Intensify Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking and Financial Crimes at Major Sporting Events
As the world prepares for upcoming global spectacles such as the Super Bowl and the FIFA World Cup, federal authorities are sounding the alarm regarding the illicit activities that frequently shadow these celebrations. While major sporting events are celebrated for their unifying spirit and entertainment value, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking (CCHT) warn that they also serve as magnets for human trafficking and money laundering operations.
The massive influx of visitors, significant financial flow, and the anonymity provided by bustling urban environments during championship events create ideal conditions for criminal organizations. Traffickers often exploit these factors to recruit and move victims, many of whom are drawn from vulnerable populations. In response, the CCHT and the DHS Blue Campaign have launched proactive outreach efforts, collaborating with HSI attaché and domestic field offices to deliver specialized training to law enforcement partners ahead of this year’s major sporting dates.
Recent judicial outcomes and enforcement operations underscore the severity of the threat. In May 2024, an HSI investigation led to the sentencing of a Texas man and his accomplice to more than 22 years and nine years in prison, respectively. The pair was convicted on charges related to human trafficking in connection with the NCAA Final Four and March Madness games in New Orleans. According to officials, the defendants trafficked three victims who were forced to travel to states including Louisiana, Iowa, and Kansas to engage in commercial sex.
Furthermore, enforcement efforts continue to yield results on the ground. In April 2025, HSI led a multi-agency operation in downtown San Antonio during the Final Four weekend. This surge operation resulted in the successful rescue of eight human trafficking victims, demonstrating the tangible impact of coordinated law enforcement vigilance.
Beyond the physical exploitation of victims, authorities highlight that large-scale sporting events are prime targets for financial crimes. Criminal networks exploit the high transaction volumes to launder illicit profits through legitimate channels. Traffickers frequently utilize structured transactions, prepaid debit cards, and rapid peer-to-peer (P2P) payment systems to move funds. The surge in demand for commercial sex services during these events provides a cover for laundering profits.
Financial institutions have been identified as a critical line of defense in disrupting these networks. HSI emphasizes that collaboration between banks and law enforcement is essential for sharing intelligence and identifying emerging trends. Authorities have released a list of “red flag” indicators to assist financial institutions in detecting suspicious activity. These indicators include:
- Frequent P2P Transfers: Funds sent to traffickers via platforms like Cash App or Venmo, often directed by victims.
- Structured Deposits: Proceeds broken down into smaller deposits across multiple accounts or locations to avoid reporting thresholds.
- Anomalous Lodging Payments: Clusters of payments for short-term lodging or transportation near event venues, often booked under pseudonyms.
- Inconsistent Luxury Spending: Leasing luxury vehicles or financing extravagant trips through business accounts that do not match stated income levels.
- Digital Advertising Payments: Frequent small payments for online escort service ads or website hosting linked to commercial sex advertisements.
- Round-the-Clock Activity: Transactions occurring in even dollar amounts during atypical hours, such as between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Investigators note that financial data often provides the key evidence needed to prosecute traffickers long after the events have concluded. Even as criminal groups attempt to disappear once the crowds disperse, the financial trails left behind—including transactions with front businesses like massage parlors or strip clubs—can lead to their dismantling.
HSI urges the public, business owners, and financial professionals to remain vigilant. The recruitment practices used by traffickers are deceptive, often trapping victims in exploitative conditions that persist well beyond the sporting season. Combating human trafficking requires a “whole-of-society” effort to report suspicious activity and disrupt the financial infrastructure that sustains these criminal organizations.
