Law enforcement from Romania and the United Kingdom has arrested seven members of an organized crime group responsible for human trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
The coordinated operation, which was in part funded by EMPACT, was carried out on August 4, 2023, in London, UK, and Iași, Romania.
In total, eight victims were safeguarded as a result of the operation. Law enforcement also seized a range of weapons, massive amounts of cash, jewelry, and a luxury vehicle.
The investigation, which was supported by Europol and Eurojust, revealed that the suspects had been bringing vulnerable women from Romania to the United Kingdom.
Typically, the victims were recruited in Romania before being brought to the United Kingdom for sexual exploitation. The organized crime group operated an escort service agency in London, through which it would advertise the sexual services provided by its victims.
When the escort service received a booking, members of the criminal group would bring the Romanian women to the client and collect at least half of the payment afterward. As well as having to surrender most of their earnings, victims would also have to pay for transport, lodging, and advertising, which rendered them financially dependent on the traffickers.
To keep the exploited women under their control, members of the criminal group also resorted to threats and violence.
In addition to being suspected of forcing women into prostitution, the traffickers are also under investigation for money laundering.
