Between March 24 and March 28, 2025, police launched a major operation to combat illegal prostitution in the cities of Klagenfurt and Villach. The action was led by the Carinthian State Criminal Police Office’s Department for Human Trafficking and Smuggling, working closely with local police and the Federal Office for Immigration and Asylum. The operation focused on identifying illegal sex work, uncovering cases of human trafficking, and breaking up networks involved in cross-border prostitution and pimping.
Twelve women were found working illegally and sent to their home countries
Twelve women were found working illegally as prostitutes. They were questioned and reported under several laws, including the Carinthian Prostitution Act and health-related laws such as the AIDS and Venereal Diseases Acts. Ten of the women were arrested and deported to their home countries, following coordination with immigration authorities. The women, all between the ages of 18 and 25, were Romanian and Hungarian nationals.
Police believe some of the women may have been victims of the Loverboy method. In this scheme, women are manipulated by men who pretend to be in a romantic relationship with them, only to lure them into prostitution.
Many victims don’t realize they are being exploited and believe they are acting on their own free will. In many cases, the women said they turned to prostitution due to financial hardship.
The investigation also revealed that suspected pimps often stay close while the women are working. Meetings with clients are frequently arranged by third parties, who then monitor or protect the women during their sex. Investigations into these individuals are ongoing, as authorities continue their efforts to dismantle these illegal networks and protect potential victims of exploitation.
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