Dark, sinister and dramatic: The disturbing TV ads to combat human trafficking...

Dark, sinister and dramatic: The disturbing TV ads to combat human trafficking... made by U.S. Government

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Last updated at 2:48 PM on 20th July 2011

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They could be trailers for a horror movie.

But actually these dark, dramatic adverts, with their undertones of sexual abuse and exploitation, were created by the U.S. Government to combat human trafficking.

The Department of Homeland Security has kicked off campaign 'No Te Enganes' - 'Don't Be Fooled' in Mexico and Central America to warn people about the dangers of trying to get to the U.S. illegally.

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Dramatic: One of the U.S. Government adverts features a young woman sitting in a bird cage being forced to sing

But this week the department will also air similar spots in Florida, Georgia and Washington - key immigrant destinations.

The adverts are targeting victims of human trafficking already in the U.S., those who want to report suspicious activity and U.S. residents who are thinking about paying for a relative to illegally come to the U.S.

'The message goes out to them today: Do not be fooled. Do not fall into this situation where you may be placing a loved one into a pipeline of slavery,' David Aguilar, deputy administrator of Customs and Border Protection, told CNN.

Dark: The viewer soon realises the singing is a euphemism for sexual exploitation as the girl is manhandled into doing what she's told

Sinister: The Department of Homeland Security created the spots to warn those who are considering entering the U.S. illegally of the dangers they face from human traffickers

Human smugglers are employing increasingly ruthless tactics, U.S. officials said.

Having promised safe passage to the U.S. for a large fee, they will then rob migrants of their money and ID cards and coerce them into forced labour, sexual exploitation and even slavery.

The TV spots will run alongside radio ads and posters. They all promote a number people can call to report suspicious activity.

Forced labour: In another advert immigrants wearing masks are put to work in sweatshop conditions

'Since we've started doing the hotline in 2007, we've taken over 34,000 calls and believe we've learned (of) over 4,000 potential victims of trafficking,' Bradley Myles, executive director of the Polaris Project, which operates the National Human Trafficking Resource Center.

The hotline is for victims but people can also phone in their tips about suspected illegal activity.

'We want to involve the American public in ending this abomination,' Mr Aguilar said.

'We need your help. We know and are confident that when citizens become aware of what human trafficking looks like, they will step forward to report it.'

• National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline: 1-888-3737-888

Watch the spots below