Edith Hejberg
A coordinated global operation has led to the arrest of 158 suspected human traffickers and the rescue of 1,194 victims.
A coordinated global operation has led to the arrest of 158 suspected human traffickers and the rescue of 1,194 victims. Codenamed ‘Global Chain’, the operation ran from June 1 to 6, 2025, and targeted networks involved in sexual exploitation, forced begging, and criminality.
Authorities also identified 205 additional suspects in ongoing investigations, highlighting the scale and complexity of this criminal enterprise.
Led by Austria and Romania with Worldwide Backing
The operation was spearheaded by Austria and Romania with critical support from Europol, INTERPOL, and Frontex.
Over 15,000 officers across 43 countries took part, working together to dismantle organised crime groups and safeguard victims. The initiative was conducted under the EMPACT framework and drew on international coordination for intelligence sharing and real-time operational support.
Victims Spanned 64 Countries, Most from Eastern Europe and Asia
Trafficking victims came from 64 countries, with many hailing from Romania, Ukraine, Colombia, China, and Hungary. The operation confirmed that most victims of sexual exploitation are adult women, while children are predominantly exploited for begging or coerced into criminal acts.
Disturbingly, in many cases, the perpetrators were family members, adding layers of complexity to victim protection efforts.
The ‘Lover-Boy’ Tactic Exposed in Austria
In Austria, authorities arrested seven individuals linked to a Romanian-Hungarian crime family. The group used the manipulative ‘lover-boy’ method to recruit women, later forcing them into prostitution.
Victims were also compelled to scam customers or lure them into ambushes for robbery. Eight women were rescued in the Austrian operation alone.
Romanian Police Rescue Children Exploited for Begging
Romanian law enforcement arrested nine suspects after identifying eight child victims, aged between 7 and 15. The children had been trafficked for forced begging, often by their own families.
Eleven witnesses were summoned as part of the crackdown, revealing the disturbing depth of this exploitation.
Massage Parlour Raids in Italy Uncover Human Trafficking Ring
Italian police raided multiple massage parlours, uncovering a trafficking network involving 75 potential victims from Romania, China, and Colombia.
One Italian was charged with human trafficking, while five others from Tunisia, the Philippines, Italy, and Colombia were arrested on related offences. Authorities also seized drugs, firearms, and apartments used for forced prostitution.
A Family Trapped in Malta’s Cleaning Scam
In Malta, three Colombian women, two sisters and their aunt, were lured with false promises of cleaning jobs.
Once they arrived, their passports were confiscated and they were coerced into sex work. Police arrested the Italian suspect who had entrapped them, allegedly demanding large sums in exchange for returning their documents.
Trafficked from Dubai to Albania: A Hidden Route
Three Chinese women were rescued in Albania after being trafficked via Dubai. The women were forced to provide sexual services in a massage parlour, revealing a Chinese trafficking network operating across continents.
One trafficker was arrested, while another remains at large.
Exploitation of Children in Greece and Montenegro
Authorities in Greece and Montenegro arrested several individuals for exploiting their own children or close relatives.
Victims were as young as two years old, forced to beg in public. These cases underline how deeply rooted and concealed such exploitation can be, especially when it’s family-facilitated.
Hungary: Teenage Girl Forced into Prostitution by Parents
Hungarian police uncovered a harrowing case involving a 15-year-old girl forced into prostitution by her own parents.
During questioning, she revealed she was her family’s sole income source. Her father was arrested, and she has since been placed in protective care.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Forced Marriage and International Trafficking
In one case, Bosnian police intervened to stop a forced marriage of a minor, arranged by her own parents in exchange for money.
In another case, 13 women, nine from China and four from Brazi, were rescued from a sexual exploitation ring, leading to the arrest of three traffickers.
Ukraine Uncovers Berlin-Bound Trafficking Plot
An undercover operation in Ukraine revealed a trafficking scheme targeting women for sexual exploitation in Berlin.
One woman was arrested, and digital evidence recovered from her devices linked her to online sex service ads in Germany.
Southeast Asia: From Myanmar to Thailand, Victims Recovered
In Brazil, authorities dismantled a network trafficking women to Myanmar under false job promises. INTERPOL issued a Blue Notice to monitor and help recover victims, including one held captive in Southeast Asia.
Thai police arrested 12 suspects and rescued two minors aged 14 and 17 from a prostitution ring promoted via social media.
Massive Seizures Accompany Arrests
The crackdown resulted in major seizures: over EUR 277,000 in cash, one tonne of cannabis, 899 doses of various narcotics, 30 firearms, 15 explosive components, 65 forged documents, and five properties used by traffickers.
These materials offer valuable evidence for future prosecutions.
A Coordinated Global Response with Long-Term Impact
The operation led to 182 new investigations. Europol, INTERPOL, and Frontex established a coordination hub in Warsaw, staffed by 33 countries, to manage intelligence and direct actions.
Law enforcement checked nearly one million individuals and documents, over 180,000 vehicles, and thousands of locations and flights, significantly disrupting trafficking routes.
