With the support of Eurojust, Romanian and German authorities have taken action against a criminal network suspected of trafficking women for sexual exploitation in Germany. Seven suspects were apprehended during an action day on 22 October 2026, with 20 properties searched across both countries. Further arrests were conducted at a later date in follow up to the initial action day. Eurojust supported a joint investigation team that enabled the authorities to gather evidence of the cross-border criminal activity.
The network, allegedly active since 2024 and organised around family ties, is suspected of recruiting women from disadvantaged backgrounds in Romania and transporting them to Germany, where they were forced into prostitution. Two suspects allegedly used the ‘loverboy’ method, pretending to develop romantic relationships with the women to persuade them to travel abroad.
Members of the network allegedly rented properties where the victims were sexually exploited, arranged their transport and advertised their sexual services online. They then took the money earned by the victims. To avoid detection, the group regularly moved the victims between locations in Germany.
Three people are also suspected of laundering the proceeds. They allegedly received money through cash transfer services and concealed its origin by transferring it to others or using it for personal expenses. Investigators also identified links with other suspects accused of forcing eight victims into prostitution.
Romanian and German authorities established a joint investigation team under the coordination of Eurojust to gather evidence of the network’s activities.
Results of the Action Day
During the action on 22 October, authorities searched 16 properties in Romania’s Argeș and Constanța counties and four in Augsburg, Germany. Evidence was seized during the searches in Romania. German police officers and a Europol representative participated in the operation in Romania, while Romanian officers joined their German counterparts for the searches in Augsburg.
Following the action day, in Romania, four additional individuals have been placed under preventive measures restricting their liberties and freedoms.
The following authorities are involved in the Eurojust supported joint investigation team
- Romania: Pitești Territorial Service of Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organised Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT); Pitești Organized Crime Combat Brigade; Argeș Gendarmerie Inspectorate; Argeș County Police
- Germany: Public Prosecutor's Office Augsburg; Police Headquarters Schwaben-Nord
Eurojust is an agency of the European Union