Trafficking for organ removal is an individual being trafficked for the purpose of removing their organ(s).

Illegal profits from the trafficking for organ removal is estimated to be US$600 million-1.2 billion a year.

Three types of trafficking for organ removal are most common: 1) Victims can be forced or deceived into giving an organ.

2)People can agree to sell their organ but aren't paid.

3)Victims have their organs removed when seeking treatment for medical conditions.

About 0.3 per cent of all trafficking victims are trafficked for organ removal. However, this number is based on reported cases only and it is assumed that the actual number is much higher.

The most commonly harvested organ is the kidney; it is estimated that 5-10 per cent of all kidney transplants worldwide come from victims of trafficking for organ removal.

The second most commonly harvested organ from trafficking victims is the liver.

Reports show that recruiters will promise up to US$20,000 for a kidney; however, victims may actually be paid as little as US$500. The average victim receives between US$3,500-6,000 (based on reported cases).

People living in poverty, with low levels of education and/or few employment opportunities, are most vulnerable to trafficking for organ removal.