At the end of September this year, in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, 76 experts from 27 countries came together to monitor, detect, and investigate various clues about Internet-enabled human trafficking activities. Online human trafficking is a growing threat that transcends borders. Although the surface network remains a key tool for human traffickers, the complexity of identifying online exploitation indicators poses significant challenges.
Europol and its partners are using international cooperation and technological expertise to counter these threats, working with the aim of protecting vulnerable people and dismantling criminal networks. This joint action aimed to identify key indicators of human trafficking on online platforms, explore how traffickers can misuse legitimate business structures, and progress with new criminal investigations.
The experts also participated in training workshops where they tackled urgent challenges such as the criminal use of social media platforms for organ trafficking, the use of cryptocurrencies and cryptographic patterns, the identification of trafficking on gaming platforms, and other technical aspects of online investigations into human trafficking.
Some of the results include:
- 252 verified entities (such as platforms, people, usernames, locations, and phone numbers)
- 40 reviewed digital platforms (for sexual and labour exploitation and organ trafficking)
- 16 suspected human traffickers identified
- 60 potential victims of human trafficking identified
During the action days, the investigators focused on gathering insights into how criminals use online ads to recruit victims and facilitate transportation and accommodation. The experts identified a dark web where hundreds of human traffickers offer a wide variety of services, including victims of both genders and all ages. Prices vary between $800 and $2,000 per hour, depending on the age and “skills” of the victims. On the same website, a permanent placement of a child is sold for between $20,000 and $60,000.
The researchers also intended to identify platforms that could facilitate human trafficking and exploitation, based on crime as a service. Their online investigation covered the possible trafficking and exploitation of Ukrainian victims, as well as the use of lesser-known social media platforms to facilitate human trafficking.
The experts have identified a new phenomenon: e-pimping. This emerging trend is of growing interest to attackers. The researchers detected two platforms offering ‘lifestyle courses’ and training for men who want to become OnlyFans managers, essentially instructing them on how to become online pimps and exploit women.
Europol supported the coordination of the operational activities, facilitated the exchange of information and gave analytical support. On the police action day, Europol sent an expert to the coordination centre to facilitate real-time information exchange and cross-check operational information with Europol databases. This provided the participating officers and the police authorities with additional leads on the investigation.
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