European authorities dealt a blow to human smuggling with the arrest of 12 individuals in Romania. A joint operation involving Romanian, Italian, and Austrian law enforcement targeted a network suspected of smuggling migrants into the EU.
The Scheme:
The network, believed to involve Romanians and Pakistanis, allegedly created fake companies in Romania. These companies were then used to obtain work visas for Bengali, Egyptian, and Pakistani migrants through fraudulent means.
The Route:
Investigators suspect the network misled Romanian authorities to secure work permits and visas based on non-existent jobs. Once migrants entered Romania, many reportedly continued on to other EU nations like Italy and Austria – 76 individuals are believed to have moved on illegally.
Profitable Network:
The network reportedly charged migrants hefty sums. Entry into Romania came with a price tag of €5,000 to €6,000, with an additional €2,000 to €5,000 to reach other EU countries. Authorities estimate the group raked in over €1 million illegally.
Raids and Recovery:
Raids across 29 locations in Romania, Italy, and Austria netted luxury vehicles, electronics, vital documents, and over €146,000. This bust highlights the challenges of human smuggling and visa fraud within the EU. Investigations are likely to continue, targeting those who benefitted and any remaining network members.
Key Points:
- A Romania-based network allegedly used fake work visas to smuggle migrants into the EU.
- Migrants paid significant sums for illegal entry and onward movement.
- This case underscores the complexities of human smuggling and the need for international cooperation.
