On Wednesday, German police raided a human trafficking ring suspected of helping wealthy Chinese individuals illegally enter the country and arrested three suspects.
According to German prosecutors and authorities, approximately 750 officers participated in the operation, conducting searches at 38 properties across 9 states, including Berlin.
The police disclosed that the three suspects were detained in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, with one of them remanded in custody pending trial. It is reported that the gang had long been operating in the area.
The human trafficking ring is accused of assisting a large number of Chinese citizens in illegal entry and residence in Germany, charging each client up to €230,000 (approximately $260,000).
Prosecutors in Flensburg initiated the investigation in October 2023, accusing the gang of engaging in commercial activities and organized human trafficking.
The suspects reportedly targeted wealthy Chinese clients online, promising to help them immigrate to Germany through a government acceleration program designed to attract skilled workers.
They are alleged to have forged long-term work permits to obtain EU Blue Cards for Chinese tycoons (a visa granted to highly skilled workers allowing residence in the EU for four years).
Around 100 individuals, including the suspects’ families, are said to have entered Germany through this scheme.
During the raid, police seized a significant amount of digital evidence and cash, and confiscated assets totaling over €5 million.
Additionally, investigators in North Rhine-Westphalia are also probing a similar human trafficking ring. The group is accused of bribing government officials with six-figure sums in euros to provide residency permits to wealthy Chinese and Omani tycoons.
In July 2024, investigators revealed that 16 government officials are suspected of involvement and are currently under scrutiny.
Wednesday’s investigation involved a total of 187 suspects. As part of the probe, prosecutors seized a brothel named Pascha in the western city of Cologne, which was reportedly acquired by a Chinese investor in 2021.