Source: Europol
Europol has announced a successful operation against a significant organized crime group involved in forging official documents and smuggling individuals into the European Union. The operation, which culminated in raids on December 3rd and 4th, 2024, resulted in the arrest of seven suspects and the seizure of electronic devices, documents, and bank credit cards.
The criminal network, operating primarily in Poland and Ukraine, specialized in creating counterfeit documents such as residence permits, driving licenses, passports, visas, and ID cards. The investigation, initiated in 2020, revealed that the group advertised their illicit services on websites and social media platforms under the guise of legal assistance. Each forged document was sold for EUR 1,500.
The buyers would contact a customer service center, make a deposit, and receive a photograph of the finished document through online messaging platforms before finalizing the payment. The forged documents were then delivered via postal services or in person. This operation facilitated the illegal entry of thousands of individuals into various EU countries, including Czechia, Germany, Romania, and Poland.
Europol played a crucial role in this investigation, coordinating information exchange and providing on-the-ground expertise during the action days in Poland. This operation aligns with Europol’s increased focus on High Value Targets, financial investigations, and asset recovery to combat organized crime groups involved in complex money laundering schemes.
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