The European Union Agency for Police Cooperation (Europol) warned on Monday of the risk that Ukrainian refugees fleeing the invasion of their country run, of falling into the networks of human trafficking when they arrive in the European Union (EU).
“The number of potential victims arriving from Ukraine may attract individual and opportunistic assailants posing as benevolent volunteers, as well as criminal networks specializing in human trafficking,” the European police agency warned in a statement.
According to Europol, the most worrying areas are border areas, reception and shelter centers and train and bus stations.
Eastern Europe has been a key region of origin for victims of human trafficking exploited in the EU. And it is the place of origin of many of the criminal networks, according to Europol.
The majority of people fleeing Ukraine are women, children and vulnerable people at risk of sexual exploitation.
“Countries hosting refugees of Ukraine must be vigilant for indications or attempts to recruit potential victims of human trafficking,” Europol insisted.
Some 3.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, according to UN data released on Monday.
The European Union Agency for Police Cooperation (Europol) warned on Monday of the risk that Ukrainian refugees fleeing the invasion of their country run, of falling into the networks of human trafficking when they arrive in the European Union (EU).
“The number of potential victims arriving from Ukraine may attract individual and opportunistic assailants posing as benevolent volunteers, as well as criminal networks specializing in human trafficking,” the European police agency warned in a statement.
According to Europol, the most worrying areas are border areas, reception and shelter centers and train and bus stations.
Eastern Europe has been a key region of origin for victims of human trafficking exploited in the EU. And it is the place of origin of many of the criminal networks, according to Europol.
The majority of people fleeing Ukraine are women, children and vulnerable people at risk of sexual exploitation.
“Countries hosting refugees of Ukraine must be vigilant for indications or attempts to recruit potential victims of human trafficking,” Europol insisted.
Some 3.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion, according to UN data released on Monday.
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