Human trafficking doesn’t just happen in hidden places or faraway countries. More and more, it takes place online, where predators can search, recruit, and exploit with just a few clicks. This is what motivates Skull Games, a veteran-founded nonprofit, to disrupt trafficking at its source.
Skull Games has three main goals: identify, interdict, and empower. The group targets the online networks traffickers use, relying on open-source intelligence to find patterns, spot offenders, and help victims who might otherwise go unnoticed.
A nationwide Task Force is at the heart of Skull Games’ work. It is made up of carefully screened volunteers trained in open-source intelligence, or OSINT. This team helps law enforcement at all levels by doing detailed analysis that many agencies don’t have the time or staff to handle themselves.
Skull Games doesn’t work alone or separate from police. Instead, it acts as a force multiplier. Its analysts collect and organize public information, turning it into leads that investigators can use to make arrests, build cases, and seek prosecution. The goal is to help law enforcement work faster and more effectively while keeping investigations strong and reliable.
They also could work cohesively with the technology provided by See It Send It. Dan Kerning, founder of See It Send It explained "The Skull Games mission is an essential piece to the fight against trafficking. The problem is too large to have one angle of attack. Organizations like Skull Games and platforms like See It Send It can help with inter agency communication and crowd sourced intelligence are but 2 of many ways to deploy technology in the fight."
The organization helps in two main ways. Small teams offer ongoing analysis all year, while larger 'expeditions' bring together analysts from around the country for big enforcement efforts. This flexible approach lets Skull Games add extra help when needed, without taking over the role of official investigators.
Training is another important part of what Skull Games does. The group teaches law enforcement how traffickers work online, how to spot digital clues, and how open-source intelligence can help real cases. Agencies can ask for analysis alone or combine training with an active case, so investigators can learn while working.
Skull Games became an independent nonprofit in 2023, but its leaders have over 10 years of experience fighting trafficking. The group is fully veteran-founded and run, bringing a mission-driven attitude and strong structure to a problem that needs both.
Groups like Skull Games are pushing back by turning the same digital tools against them. By pairing trained analysts with law enforcement professionals, the organization aims to close the gap between online exploitation and real-world accountability.
In a fight where speed, information, and teamwork are crucial, Skull Games has one main goal: help victims escape and make sure predators are found, arrested, and brought to justice.
Discover more at SkullGames.org.
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