Spanish and Ukrainian authorities, supported by Europol, dismantled a criminal network that exploited war-displaced Ukrainian women to run a large-scale online gambling and money laundering scheme.

Key Details of the Operation

• The Scheme: The group recruited young women from war-torn areas of Ukraine, promising them safety in Spain. Once there, suspects helped them obtain temporary protection status and then forced them to open bank accounts and credit cards.
• Exploitation: The criminals took full control of these financial accounts to manage an online gambling platform and launder illicit proceeds.
• Financial Impact: Investigators estimate the network laundered nearly €4.75 million in illicit funds.
• Modus Operandi: After the bank accounts were established, many victims were sent back to Ukraine while the criminals retained control over their Spanish financial identities.

Risks to Displaced Ukrainians

This case highlights a growing trend of criminal organizations targeting vulnerable refugees:

• Vulnerability: Since the full-scale invasion, there has been a significant increase in online searches for terms related to the exploitation of Ukrainian women.
• Europol Response: In March 2024, an operational task force was launched involving 11 countries to combat the sexual and labor exploitation of Ukrainian nationals in the EU.
• Trafficking Statistics: In 2022, the number of registered trafficking victims in the EU reached 10,093, the highest figure since 2013, partly due to increased monitoring of those fleeing the war.