Author: Vassilia Orfanou, PhD, Post Doc
Headline Diplomat Magazine, LUDCI.eu
Human Trafficking is a global issue with approximately 27.6 million people forced into labour as of 2021.
Europol’s recent investigation identified 200 victims of a trafficking operation. A serious raid and arrest liberated and brought back to safety 20 women.
The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) stands committed and strong in making Europe a safer heaven, helping to prevent a wide range of crimes, one of which is Human Trafficking.
Europol’s recent developments helped to dismantle an international sex trafficking ring that lured and captivated hundreds of Chinese women. The operation was the first forensic sprint at Europol headquarters and was executed under the framework of Operational Task Force Lotus.
Europol dismantles international sex trafficking ring. Chinese Women finally liberated
For over three years, Europol monitored an international sex trafficking network using over 3,000 advertisements to offer sexual services. Back in February 2023, Europol’s efforts in Spain and Belgium resulted in arresting 30 people.
Amongst the 30 arrested individuals included five Chinese nationals. Europol considers them high-profile targets, due to their involvement in multiple high-profile cases in Europe. Nine of the arrested were charged with human trafficking and money laundering charges.
Europol’s investigation revealed that traffickers used popular Chinese messaging apps to lure women to Europe using forged EU identifications and residence credentials. Luring them in with the prospects of a better European life, the Chinese women were held hostage and forced in prostitution to pay off their alleged debts owed due to the costs associated with their journey to Europe.
200 victims were identified. Numbers are expected to be much higher. Fortunately, 20 women were liberated from their captors thanks to the raid and arrest.
Europol’s raid led to the recovery of several mobile devices used to communicate with clients and conveying instructions to victims. The investigation revealed that the women had no direct contact with clients, allowing their traffickers to have full control over the desperate Chinese women.
Mobile Data analysis helping Europol
Hundreds of thousands of devices were recovered by Europol during the raid and arrest. This acquisition allows 15 experts from Germany, Belgium, Norway, The Netherlands, Spain, Poland, and Switzerland to extract tens of terabytes of data from these confiscated gadgets.
The result of this joint effort grants Europol additional insight into the human trafficking network to further recover victims and apprehend offenders. For example, their efforts revealed that the traffickers used hotels alongside online advertisements to conduct their illegal business of smuggling women, getting them from China to Europe.
The Trafficking network employs online rental platforms and uses vacation homes to set up appointments with clients. This isn’t uncommon since traffickers use social media platforms alongside industries like transportation, accommodation, food, and even health to carry out their illegal operations.
While investigations are not over as hundreds of Chinese still need liberation from these captors, Europol is working around the clock. This is evident in its one-week forensic sprint to speed up investigations, resulting in the extraction of tens of terabytes of data from confiscated devices.
Conclusion
Europol has gained traction with its Operational Task Force Lotus raiding and arresting sex traffickers exploring 20 Chinese women in Spain and Belgium. The organisation predicts over 200 victims of this international network and are working tirelessly to liberate the victims.
The investigation revealed a shocking and unfortunate fact that unsuspecting private businesses and online platforms aid their illegal business indirectly. Essentially, these criminals employ vacation homes and online rent platforms to set up appointments with clients and victims.
Given the alarming and rather unfortunate discovery, we would like to recommend businesses, especially those in accommodation, to train their staff on how to identify signs of sex trafficked individuals meeting with clients and report immediately to the authorities.
This action can greatly contribute to liberating victims and apprehending criminals, which is very much needed at a crucial time, where human trafficking numbers keep growing.
Featured photo: Andrea Piacquadio, Pexels
