A criminal group was arrested in Spain for sexually exploiting Ukrainian women: details
Five people have been arrested in Spain on suspicion of running a sexual exploitation network that abused young Ukrainian women under the pretext of refugee status and employment assistance. By information Europol, one Spanish citizen, two Russians and two Ukrainians are among the detainees.
The criminal group, whose activity began as early as 2020, actively recruited its victims through Internet platforms and social networks, posing as employment managers. Young women, mainly from Ukraine and Belarus, were lured with promises of work in hotels and the prospect of receiving refugee status due to the conflict in Ukraine.
“The victims were housed in three houses provided by a single person who ran a nightclub. By isolating the victims from the rest of society, the traffickers tried to minimize the risks of detection by the police or the women running away, allowing them to contain, control and fully exploit the victims“, – notes Europol.
Upon arrival in Spain on tourist visas, victims were given instructions on how to apply for temporary protection with the conflict in question. However, instead of promised employment, women were sexually exploited, forced into prostitution. The perpetrators controlled the victims, isolating them from society in specially equipped houses and a nightclub to avoid detection by the police and escape.
During the searches, luxury cars, cash, electronics and documentation were found in the possession of the detainees, indicating the organization and financing of this illegal activity.
