More than 1,000 people have been arrested as part of a global crackdown on human trafficking spanning 59 countries.
Interpol’s Operation Global Chain, in cooperation with Europol and Frontex, opened a fresh wave of investigations targeting victims trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labour and criminality, and coerced begging.
A network ferrying victims into online scamming in Cambodia was dismantled, while another trafficked under‑age girls recruited via social media into sex work across Europe was also dismantled.
Authorities identified 2,070 potential victims, with the vast majority women; of those arrested, 334 were charged with trafficking and 690 with related crimes.
The operation exposed evolving trafficking routes, noting a trend of Latin American victims being forced into labour across Europe and that about 10% of identified victims were minors subject to sexual exploitation.
In Colombia a prison campaign warned against fraudulent job offers; in Brazil, Federal Police uncovered a network that shipped victims to Cambodia for online scams, identifying 406 victims – 83 Brazilians and 323 foreigners.
Interpol issued notices against wanted suspects and persons of interest, and 201 additional suspects were identified worldwide. Participating countries included the UK, US, France, Germany, Spain, Nigeria, Thailand and Vietnam.
Interpol Secretary Valdecy Urquiza warned that human trafficking remains one of the most profitable and pervasive organized crimes, generating billions in illicit revenue yearly, and that the operation’s results show what can be achieved when countries collaborate to disrupt criminal economies.
