Human trafficking network dismantled in Romania and Germany: seven detained, "loverboy" method used
DIICOT Pitești has detained seven suspects following 20 house searches in Romania and Germany. Victims, young women from disadvantaged backgrounds, were recruited using the "loverboy" method and sexually exploited in Augsburg.
Seven suspects detained following dismantling of human trafficking network active in Romania and Germany
Seven suspects have been detained, and seven other suspects are evading criminal prosecution, following an investigation conducted by prosecutors from DIICOT – Territorial Service Pitești. According to Mediafax.ro, the operation included 20 house searches carried out simultaneously in Romania and Germany, with the participation of German authorities and Europol.
Criminal group established in 2024
According to investigators, three suspects and three other suspects allegedly founded the group starting in 2024, with the stated purpose of sexually exploiting multiple victims for material gain. During the course of 2026, another suspect allegedly joined the group.
Four members are accused of recruiting and transporting victims to Germany, where they forced them to engage in prostitution. The group allegedly posted advertisements featuring the victims on various escort websites to attract clients, subsequently appropriating the sums earned by these victims.
The "loverboy" method and the role of relatives
Two of the suspects had, according to prosecutors, the primary role of recruiting using the "loverboy" method: they simulated romantic relationships with young women from disadvantaged social backgrounds, whom they subsequently convinced to travel to Germany to engage in prostitution. The money obtained went into the group members' accounts.
The network allegedly also benefited from the support of first-degree relatives of the leader, who are accused of transporting victims by car from Romania to Germany and monitoring them at their destination. These individuals also allegedly rented properties in Germany and arranged for the victims' movement throughout German territory.
Money laundering and the "touring" method
Two female suspects and one male suspect are accused of laundering proceeds from criminal activity. The money was received through cash transfer systems and redirected to other individuals or used for personal purposes in order to conceal its origin.
To reduce the risk of being detected by German authorities, group members resorted to the "touring" method — periodically changing the locations where victims were sexually exploited.
The investigation also indicated alleged links with a suspect held in prison in a separate case, who is believed to have received money derived from the group's criminal activity. In total, eight victims were forced to engage in prostitution, according to the case file.
Searches in Argeș, Constanța and Augsburg
On 22 October, 16 house searches were carried out in Argeș and Constanța counties, with the participation of two police officers from K31 Augsburg and a Europol representative. Simultaneously, four other searches were executed in Augsburg, with the participation of Romanian and German police officers.
International cooperation took place under the auspices of Eurojust, within the framework of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT).
Detention and preventive arrest
DIICOT prosecutors ordered the detention of the seven suspects for forming an organised criminal group, human trafficking — in the form of perpetration and complicity — and pimping. The following day, Argeș Court ordered preventive arrest for 30 days for five of them; the other two were placed under judicial control.
Seven suspects remain under criminal investigation.
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)