Crime prevention
Global action week against human trafficking
Between 3 and 9 June 2024, global Joint Action Days took place targeting trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced begging and other offences. 40 countries participated, 219 suspects were arrested and 1,374 victims were identified.
Between 3 and 9 June 2024, "Operation Global Chain” led by Austria, co-organised by Romania and coordinated by Europol, Frontex and INTERPOL took place as part of the EMPACT Joint Action Days (JAD). In 2024, just like the previous year, Western Balkan countries and third countries participated in this action.
The goal was to detect possible adult and minor victims as early as possible. Special focus was placed on checks of red-light establishments to uncover illegal prostitution.
"Human trafficking is a global phenomenon that does not stop at borders. Therefore, it is all the more important to strengthen international cooperation with international law enforcement authorities to prevent offences and protect potential victims. The high-impact operation ensures sustainable success in the fight against trafficking in human beings, underlines Director General for Public Security Franz Ruf.
Global success
Authorities were posted at border crossings, important traffic junctions and at hot spots to detect potential offenders. During the Joint Action Days, 362 suspects were identified all over the world, 276 new investigations were launched and 219 suspects were arrested. 1,347 potential victims, among them 153 children, were identified and subsequently received support. The officers seized 363 forged documents as well as 2,074 criminal assets.
Global operational highlights
Hungary
Employees of the Hungarian national authorities arrested a Hungarian couple who had coerced six of their own children into begging on the streets of their village. Their minor children were abused both sexually as well as physically by their own parents. Moreover, the parents had shackled their children in a room of their house and offered their sexual services for money to other persons in the neighbourhood. The officers found the children neglected, undernourished and in very bad health and placed them in foster families.
Romania
Officers of the Romanian Galati-Brigade combating organised crime arrested a suspect who had recruited minor victims from poor families and coerced them into forced begging and prostitution. The human trafficker withheld their earnings. During a raid, officers found further evidence as well as anaesthetics.
Vietnam
The Vietnamese authorities arrested three suspects who had allegedly sold three minor victims abroad for sexual exploitation. In another case, nine Vietnamese and Chinese suspects were arrested who had organised online sessions? The offenders had forced four victims aged 14 to 17 to perform sexual acts to online audiences. Investigations are being pursued as regards the victims.
Two suspects arrested, 21 potential victims identified
In Austria, operation JAD Global Chain 2024 was coordinated by Criminal Intelligence Service Austria and implemented in cooperation with the provincial CID and subordinate local authorities. Depending on the different forms of exploitation, specific checks were carried out at selected places in the provinces. In Austria, a total of 235 officers inspected 1,213 persons, 91 means of transport, 278 venues and 1,389 documents. 21 potential victims of sexual exploitation and forced begging from Romania, Spain, Hungary, China and Greece were detected. In addition, two Chinese suspects were identified and two international investigation proceedings for human trafficking and cross-border trade in prostitution as well as nine criminal proceedings were launched.
"Fighting international organised crime requires a broad and international alliance of law enforcement authorities. The Joint Action Days are a means to decisively crack down on different forms of crime in a united approach", says the Director of Criminal Intelligence Service Austria, General Andreas Holzer.
EU member states
Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Hungary, Cyprus,
Non-EU countries
Albania, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, England, Iceland, Colombia, Kosovo, Moldavia, Montenegro, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Switzerland, Serbia, Thailand, Ukraine, Vietnam
Human trafficking hotline
If you have any information concerning trafficking in human beings please contact the hotline of Criminal Intelligence Service Austria. The number is reachable 24/7:
phone (24/7): +43 677 613 43434