Europol has discovered several criminal networks recruiting women for sexual exploitation, forced labor and organ trafficking, promising them high profits through false job offers.

During an international operation, attended by 40 experts and investigators from 20 countries, 51 possible victims of human trafficking, five suspects and six organised criminal networks were identified. All the identified victims were women.

The operation was directed by the Netherlands, in co-operation with Germany, Romania and the United Kingdom. The investigation focused on digital tracks that traffickers leave during the recruiting of victims through social networks, communication applications and online platforms.

In one of the uncovered cases, women from Russia were promised $10,000 in two weeks, provided they accepted job offers in Europe and other parts of the world. However, these offers served as a cover for their exploitation.

Investigators also discovered a waste model agency that used social networking profiles to recruit girls with the promise of employment in European Union countries.

During checks on 26 online platforms, 77 accounts on social networks and dozens of other digital elements were identified with suspicious links among profiles used for sexual exploitation. In some cases, the same phone number was linked to dozens of different profiles.

In addition, investigators discovered closed groups on communication applications, allegedly recruited persons for organ trafficking. Initial data led to private clinics and hospitals outside the European Union.

Authorities also collected information on suspected cases of exploiting Vietnamese women as surrocy mothers.

Europol announced that the collected data would be forwarded to relevant authorities for further investigation and identification of persons involved in these criminal networks. /Telegraphy/