Recruitment in networks
Forced recruitment through social networks is not new, but the finding of the Teuchitlán Rancho, in Jalisco, put it in the focus of attention and authorities. Several of the disappearances of young people in Mexico are related to alleged false job offers disseminated in social networks.
The Secretary of Public Security, Omar García Harfuch, revealed the modus operandi of criminal organizations to deceive young people. They were offered jobs with monthly salaries from 4,000 to 12,000 per week and quoted them in bus terminals and then transferred Ranchos like Teuchitlán.
“They mainly used social networks to offer false job opportunities, through deception, in addition to using closed groups where criminal activities were mentioned,” he explained last March 24.
The official announced that 39 accounts had been discharged in which false jobs were offered, but that they had recruitment purposes.
In the study of El Colegio de México it was detected that to make attractive lodging or a house is offered in exchange for joining the cartel forces, training for new recruits and attractive salaries.
“Social networks have become fertile land for criminal organizations that, in a context of greater violence and competitiveness – both among criminal groups and against the State – have sought to approach youth to incorporate them into their ranks,” the study says.
Why Tiktok?
Organized crime is using technology in its favor. According to the specialized firm Datareportal, 90 million Mexicans use social networks actively.
The most used networks are Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Tiktok and Twitter. In Mexico, it is estimated that there are 75 million Tiktok accounts.
According to the study, Tiktok is a social network with less moderation in the
Contents with respect to other digital platforms, which has facilitated that organized crime use that space to build new identities that are present through images, emojis, hashtags and shared songs
“Organized crime manages to permeate towards Mexican youth, with the promises of belonging to a group where they will be accepted and where they can receive better opportunities for their future development,” he says.
