Following a months- lengthy investigation that even involved the cooperation of Europol, police have busted a fugitive gang and seized some 4, 650 false travel documents that were intended to facilitate unlawful migration. Eleven people were arrested as part of the research, with police believing that they facilitated at least 50 scenarios of human trafficking and improper movement.
Those arrested include three Palestinians, three Emigrants, two Iraqis, two Syria and one Palestinian nationwide.
Along with the hundreds of false documents, 10 high- quality laser printers and more than €20, 000 in funds were confiscated.
According to Europol, the fugitive organization began operations in September 2023 and used powerful, hi- tech equipment to create “high quality false travel and identification documents”, which rendered them really difficult to detect.
These records were sold to refugees to enable them to fraudulently go around Greece and across Europe, with costs ranging from €400 to €1, 200.
Europol believes that the party’s activities were particularly beneficial, as the documents found have a street value of some €600, 000, while the gang had likewise manage flights for an extra €6, 000 per person.
The false papers had the supposed nature of many Western states, including Greece, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, and Ukraine, while some of them were even of Brazilian nature.
Europol says that the counterfeiters would scarcely immediately meet their clients or related legal organizations, but would cooperate with them to exchange information as well as counterfeiting resources and material.
Subscribe to our Ezines
Provide your information below to get our regular newsletters with the latest insights, viewpoint pieces and recent events immediately to your inbox.
Kathimerini perhaps take unusual special offers and deals.
By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
