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Human Trafficking
Europe
This section covers AML/CTF initiatives by European Commission, Council of Europe MONEYVAL, European Parliament, Europol and other related EU organisations.
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Europol’s EMSC Report 2025 reveals that migrant smuggling and trafficking networks are now global, digitally savvy, and profit-driven, exploiting complex digital and financial networks to evade authorities
These networks increasingly exploit cryptocurrencies and informal finance systems, blending digital and traditional value transfers to obscure money trails. Profits are often layered across jurisdictions and reinvested into other crimes, including document fraud, human trafficking, and weapons trafficking, reflecting a trend toward poly‑criminality. Europol highlights the growing sophistication of these…
Europol strikes a powerful crackdown on organised human-trafficking networks, arresting 29 suspects across Europe and dismantling criminal operations exploiting vulnerable individuals
In two joint operations, Europol supported France and Spain as well as Italy and Romania in disrupting large-scale organised crime groups involved in human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The operations, carried out with the support of multiple national police forces, not only dismantled key parts of these networks but also resulted in the safeguarding of victims and the seizure of criminal assets linked to the…
EC welcomes political agreement between EP and EU Council to reinforce Europol’s role in combating migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings
The agreement empowers Europol to expand the work of its European Centre Against Migrant Smuggling, strengthen cooperation with national and EU agencies, and make fuller use of biometric and other data to disrupt cross-border criminal networks. It also provides the agency with enhanced tools and resources to support investigations, improve intelligence flows, and increase the EU’s collective capacity…
Europol coordinates with Brazilian-Irish authorities to arrest 8 individuals from a transnational human trafficking network exploiting hundreds of victims across multiple continents
Authorities conduct coordinated raids across Brazil and Ireland, seizing evidence and disrupting the network’s cross-border operations. Europol provides operational support, intelligence sharing, and strategic coordination to ensure the success of the crackdown…
Eurojust disrupts a Syrian-led transnational migrant smuggling network that trafficked 500+ people along the Balkan route, generating €1.4M in illicit profits
Eurojust supported German, Dutch, and Bosnian authorities in a coordinated multi-country operation that resulted in five arrests of Syrian nationals responsible for transporting migrants from Greece to Germany via the Balkan route, seizing digital evidence, vehicles, and minor narcotics, while revealing sophisticated communication methods…
Europol busts two-way migrant smuggling ring moving 1,000 people between Spain, France, and the UK, exposing its low-cost, high-volume model and cross-border financial operations
The operation, active since 2021, involved over 100 smuggling instances using concealed cargo vans, temporary accommodations, and covert routes. During joint action days in June 2025, seven suspects were arrested, €50,000 in cash and assets were seized, and four properties were searched. Migrants, mainly from Algeria, Morocco, Syria, and Sub-Saharan Africa, were charged…
Europol helps Spain crack a criminal network smuggling 200+ migrants and trafficking drugs, arresting ringleaders, seizing cash, weapons, and narcotics, and exposing child exploitation
Europol supported Spanish authorities in dismantling a transnational criminal network involved in smuggling over 200 migrants and trafficking drugs between Morocco and Spain, resulting in eight arrests and significant seizures of drugs, cash, and weapons. The investigation revealed the exploitation of minors as maritime smugglers and …
Europol cracks down on online human trafficking, identifying 21 suspected traffickers and 41 potential victims in a targeted operation on Ukrainian nationals’ exploitation
In a four-day digital sting, Europol and experts from 12 countries tracked criminal networks exploiting Ukrainian nationals online, identifying 21 suspected traffickers and 41 potential victims. The operation, which checked 690 entities, tested new digital investigative tools to combat cyber-enabled human trafficking, reinforcing cross-border intelligence-sharing and future enforcement efforts…
EC launches a Call for Expression of Interest in view of renewing the composition of the ‘EU Civil Society Platform against trafficking in human beings’
The renewal of the Platform will take into account the evolving landscape of human trafficking as well as changes in civil society organisations working in the field at national or European level. The Platform offers a concrete opportunity for constructive exchanges on how to best address trafficking in human beings through non-legislative actions and initiatives, including awareness-raising activities, early identification of victims, and victim support. It also serves as a forum for civil society to engage at EU level, sharing best practices and facilitating cooperation…
Europol leads cross-border crackdown on Chinese criminal network involved in illegal immigration and human trafficking ring; 30 individuals arrested in Spain and Croatia
The law enforcement conducted raids at 14 properties across Barcelona (4), Madrid (9), and Toledo (1) in Spain, and one property in Zagreb in Croatia. These operations resulted in 30 arrests, among which were the leaders of the criminal network. In addition, EUR 180 000 in cash was also seized, alongside weapons, 70 passports, equipment to falsify passports and visas, narcotic substances, 10 high-end vehicles and 33 mobile phones. A total of 33 victims – Chinese and Vietnamese nationals – were also safeguarded…
Swiss Money Laundering Reporting Office launch first anti-trafficking guide for financial intermediaries to identify human trafficking transactions
The FIAHT Guide provides financial intermediaries with practical tools to detect human trafficking-related activities. It includes indicators like large cash transfers, multiple property rents, or prepaid card usage. The guide also offers examples of how traffickers hide profits and provides best practices for filing accurate suspicious activity reports to aid investigations…
Eurojust supports crackdown on human trafficking ring, exploiting workers in Hungary and Romania
The network started its illegal activities in 2013. Its targets were recruited from Romania to work in a paper factory in Hungary. They were promised a job with eight-hour workdays for five to six days a week a salary paid in Hungarian forints and accommodation and meals. After arriving in Hungary, the actual working conditions were much worse than promised. The victims’ documents were confiscated, depriving them of their freedom of movement.