The Greek police, in coordination with investigations by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, have dismantled a Romanian human trafficking gang that exploited the poor by forcing them to beg on the streets of Athens. The gang lured victims from around the world with false promises of work on construction projects or in factories. According to the Greek newspaper 'Kathimerini', authorities have managed to arrest individuals believed to be the leaders of the gang and have identified seven Romanians suspected of involvement in the operation that involved hundreds of people from several countries. The so-called 'Greek Federal Bureau of Investigation' seized more than 4,800 euros in cash, money transfer receipts, and ledgers containing details of the group's activities. The 12 victims are currently receiving care from specialized non-governmental organizations. The Greek police announced that the gang has targeted hundreds of people since 2021, luring them to Greece with false promises of high-paying jobs in construction or factories. Upon arrival in Athens, victims—who were often chosen for their extreme poverty—were placed in crowded apartments and stripped of their identification documents.
