Maya Lahav

Maya is a DPhil candidate in Criminology at the University of Oxford, specialising in human exploitation within online ecosystems. 

As traffickers increasingly migrate online, their methods evolve faster than our laws and platforms can respond. Maya's DPhil analyses the digital ecosystem of trafficking, investigating how traffickers use platform features to identify and groom victims, manipulate online personas to build trust, and advertise services while evading detection. The research demonstrates the integration of technology into traffickers' business models, revealing their sophisticated understanding of platform algorithms, content moderation loopholes, and user behaviour.

Findings highlight the multifaceted nature of digital exploitation, including the adaptability of traffickers to emerging technologies and their ability to leverage the global reach of social media to scale operations. As cybercrime grows increasingly sophisticated, this study contributes to the field of criminology by providing an evidence-based examination of how traffickers utilise digital platforms for exploitation. 

Previously, Maya led the Human Exploitation Department at a high-tech company, served Head of Section in the Office for Cyber and Information Security at Denmark’s Ministry of Defense, and worked on human trafficking mitigation in Nepal. She holds an MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Oxford and an MSc in International Relations from the University of Edinburgh.