German police launched a large-scale raid on Wednesday against a suspected human trafficking network accused of smuggling Chinese women into the country for illegal prostitution.
The coordinated operation took place across four German states, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and North Rhine-Westphalia, with officers searching 22 properties. In Hesse, police targeted locations in Wiesbaden, Bad Vilbel, and Ginsheim-Gustavsburg, according to the Hannover Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Two suspects were arrested
Two suspects were arrested, including one in Wiesbaden.
Investigators say the group brought women from China to Germany and forced them into illegal sex work. The women were reportedly moved frequently between short-term rental apartments to avoid detection.
The network allegedly promoted sexual services online and ran telephone centers to arrange appointments.
During the raids, officers seized mobile phones, laptops, data storage devices, and a large amount of cash, reportedly in the high five-figure range. Authorities hope that analyzing these materials will lead them to other members of the criminal network.
Part of an ongoing series of investigations
This case is part of an ongoing series of investigations in Hesse.
In January 2025, police raided a brothel in Wiesbaden and arrested three suspects accused of employing Chinese women illegally between February 2020 and December 2024.
In another major operation in October 2024, police searched locations in six Hessian cities, arresting three suspects accused of employing twelve Chinese women without valid residence permits between January and June 2024.
Don’t miss our previous news about fight against Chinese criminal groups
German police arrested two people in a major raid targeting human trafficking for prostitution. The suspects smuggled Chinese women into Germany and forced them to work illegally in the sex trade. Police searched 22 locations across four German states and seized phones, laptops, and large amounts of cash. The criminal network used short-term apartments and online advertising to avoid detection. Read the news article here: Police operation targets illegal prostitution and human trafficking in Germany
Austrian police broke up a Chinese human trafficking ring that forced women into prostitution. Three suspects from Vienna and Graz were arrested for allegedly luring Chinese women to Austria with fake job promises, then stealing their documents and forcing them to work in brothels. The victims often arrived legally and filed for asylum to get work permits, but were then trapped by the criminals. Police believe the operation ran from late 2021 to early 2024, though the exact number of victims is still unknown. Read the article here: Austrian authorities bust Chinese human trafficking ring
A trial started in Hanau, Germany against three people accused of running a human trafficking ring that smuggled 13 Chinese women into the country for forced prostitution. The defendants – two women and one man between ages 45-60 – face charges including human trafficking, tax evasion, and failing to pay social security. Police say the ring operated brothels across three German states and made huge profits from exploiting the victims. The group allegedly evaded €1.2 million in taxes and failed to pay €1.3 million in social security contributions. Read more about this trial in this article: German-Chinese smuggling ring trial begins in Hanau