A Europol-coordinated crackdown exposes a sophisticated smuggling ring luring victims with false job promises, only to trap them in debt bondage and sexual exploitation.
Croatian and Spanish law enforcement have dismantled a highly organized, sophisticated Chinese criminal network suspected of illegal immigration and human trafficking, arresting 30 Chinese nationals believed to be members of the group.
A complex cross-border operation, coordinated by Europol, also led to the rescue of 33 victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, mostly Chinese and Vietnamese nationals, Europol stated on Tuesday.
In a total of 14 raids—13 in Spain and one in Croatia—police seized 180,000 euros ($187,376) in cash, as well as weapons, 70 passports, equipment for forging passports and visas, some narcotics, 10 high-end vehicles, and 33 mobile phones.
The investigation stems from the breakup of Europe’s largest Chinese prostitution ring, nearly two years ago, when significant digital evidence was seized. Authorities have since carefully examined digital evidence, including during a forensic sprint at Europol’s headquarters in March 2023, when experts retrieved tens of terabytes of data from hundreds of confiscated mobile phones.
The evidence gave law enforcement agencies insights into the network’s methods, the division of labor, and its dependency on crime-as-a-service actors.
The criminal network profited not only from the sexual exploitation of vulnerable women but also from document fraud, money laundering, and facilitating illegal immigration. They would lure their victims into prostitution in Europe, promising high earnings, but would instead trap them in debt bondage.
This group was organized around two interconnected cells. One of the cells conducted recruitment and smuggling operations by luring victims in China with sham employment opportunities.
They would then smuggle the victims from one safe house to another, using instant messaging apps, safe houses, and a coordinating victim transport through the Western Balkan route on their way to the European Union.
Once in Europe, the second cell would first exploit victims in entry-point countries prior to being moved into Spain and other EU states, transferring victims from city to city to avoid detection. Under their strict control, the victims give 50 percent of their earnings, at times even after debts are paid.
Europol also stated that this investigation is part of a larger multinational task force involving 11 countries, working to dismantle Chinese human trafficking networks across Europe.
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