La Strada Documentation Center

The THB financial business model. Assessing the current state of knowledge

Document number
3225
Date
2015
Title
The THB financial business model. Assessing the current state of knowledge
Author/publisher
Europol
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
International Law, Research/Study/Analysis,
Keywords
human trafficking, human rights, exploitation
Summary

The Strategic document refers to the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive and the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of THB (2012-2016) which lay a basis for it.  It emphasises the fact that organised crime groups involved in THB have successfully combined illicit practices with strong business and technical skills. Their evolution into a professionalised and flexible service represents a growing challenge for EU law enforcement agencies (LEAs). In addition to the robust business model established by THB OCGs, there is a significant intelligence gap amongst LEAs regarding the financial aspects of THB. It is often unclear how much profit traffickers make, how proceeds are laundered and where they are invested.