Action to prevent criminals exploiting Ukrainian refugees in Glasgow is being taken.

Fears that women and children could be targeted when they arrive in the city has led to organisations joining together to offer protection.

Glasgow-based organisations, which help victims of human trafficking across Scotland, are offering refugees advice amid concerns that criminals posing as sponsors could take advantage of desperate people fleeing the war. 

READ MORE:‘Concerning increase’ in Ukrainian refugees becoming homeless after UK arrival

The Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA) has joined with JustRight Scotland to produce a leaflet outlining people’s rights and highlighting danger signs.

The information has been translated into Ukrainian and Russian and will be given to people on arrival in Scotland to help them stay safe. 

The leaflet states: “People in Scotland want to help you, but a small minority may be looking to exploit your circumstances.

“This may include individuals who have volunteered to sponsor you to come to the UK and are providing you with somewhere to stay. 

“Sponsors have volunteered to provide you with somewhere to stay.”

A list of what sponsors should not ask of refuges has been compiled.

READ MORE: Three welcome hubs for Ukrainian refugees set up in Scotland

It includes: A sponsor should not ask you for money to continue to stay with them They should not ask you to work or provide other services in order to continue to stay with them.

They should not ask for your passport or residence documents.

Refugees are being told: “You do not need to continue to live with your sponsor if you don’t feel safe and there is support and assistance available to help you leave this situation.” 

Bronagh Andrew of TARA said: “Scots have been horrified by the war in Ukraine and the overwhelming majority want to generously provide a safe, welcoming haven for refugees. “However, as the majority of refugees coming via the scheme will be women and children, there is a chance that some unscrupulous people may use the humanitarian crisis as an opportunity to prey on the vulnerable.

“They may contact people on social media and offer them accommodation then turn out to be anything but kind. 

“We’re trying to prevent this, by informing people who arrive in Scotland of their rights and making sure they recognise the red flags to look out for. We don’t want to alarm people who have already been through a horrendous ordeal, we just want them to feel safe, secure and welcome in Glasgow. 

“The council’s Environmental Health and Housing teams also aim to inspect addresses offering accommodation to refugees to ensure it is of a suitable standard.”