Bulgarian and Austrian police have busted a human trafficking network in a joint operation, the press center of the Bulgarian Interior Ministry reported Wednesday.

The operation was carried out in an effort to fight illegal trafficking of women for sexual exploitation, pimping and forcing minors into prostitution.

Seven individuals – four men and three women, all members of an organized crime group, have been arrested in Bulgaria and Austria.

The probe began in September, following information that a "studio" in Vienna was offering sex services, and a group of Bulgarians worked there.

The case was assigned to the Regional Criminal Office in Vienna and the Federal Criminal Services, who immediately got in touch with their Bulgarian colleagues. The employees from the "Human Trafficking" unit of the Main Directorate for Combatting Organized Crime (GDBOP) and the International Operational Partnership Directorate have joined the effort at this point.

Authorities from Poland and Greece have also collaborated.

Most of the victims had no education and came from poor families. After a short period of courting and attention, they gradually alienated from their family and friends, and became emotionally dependent and ready to do anything for a future with "the man of their life."

This enabled the pimps to easily convince the women to work "temporarily" as prostitutes to earn money for starting a family. If they tried to refuse, they became victims of psychological and physical terror, sometimes along with their children and other family members.

The criminal scam took place in Bulgaria, Austria, Poland and Greece. In addition to the recruitment of female prostitutes, the human trafficking involved men, who were forced to bag on the streets.

All seven detainees own many properties and financial assets in Bulgaria with unclear origins, the police established.

The investigation to find other members of the group continues.

Bulgaria's GDBOP have joined Austrian low enforcement in helping them bust an organized crime group, dealing with human trafficking. File photo

Source: http://www.novinite.com