The European Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation

• New operation against criminal network smuggling Syrian migrants to Germany: five arrests

  Eurojust has supported the German and Dutch authorities in a coordinated action against an organised crime group (OCG) smuggling mainly Syrian migrants to Germany. In a joint operation, five suspects were arrested in Germany, the Netherlands and Bosnia and Herzegovina.Since 2021, at least 500 migrants have been irregularly transported via the so-called Balkan route. The network itself, however, boasts about much higher numbers of migrants being trafficked and has been advertising these figures on social media. The proceeds from the migrant smuggling are estimated to be at least EUR 1.4 million.

• Large-scale thefts of luxury watches: gang dismantled in Italy with support of Eurojust

  Nine members of a gang involved in stealing luxury watches were arrested this week in Italy, with the support of Eurojust. Through an exchange of information and evidence via the Agency, police forces across southern Italy were able to link the criminals to thefts in various Italian cities, as well as in Ibiza, Spain and Saint-Tropez, France. The suspects were part of a roving gang, which travelled frequently between the three countries.

• Action against ATM fraud in Romania and UK stopped by joint investigation team with Eurojust assistance

  Authorities in Romania and the United Kingdom have taken concerted action to block criminals who illegally withdrew cash from automated teller machines (ATMs) on a large scale. By using specialised computer programs and devices, the Romanian criminal network managed to steal an estimated EUR 580 000. The criminal group was also involved in other types of payment and card fraud.During an operation in Romania, two suspects were identified and brought in for questioning. In the UK, prosecutions have already been initiated against eight members of the group, following an action day in December 2024.

• New operation to uncover fake paintings supported by Eurojust

  Following a successful major operation in November 2024 to uncover fake paintings, Eurojust has supported the Italian authorities with a new action to retrieve over one hundred false artworks worldwide. In this recent operation, 104 forged paintings of Picasso, Edvard Munch and Paul Klee were seized and brought to Italy. Eurojust assisted with the execution of European Investigation Orders to Germany and Spain, in order to retrieve the fake artworks and prevent them from being sold in auctions.

• Operation targeting human trafficking and money laundering: 13 arrests in Romania and Netherlands

  An organised crime group that took vulnerable women from Romania to the Netherlands for sexual exploitation has been halted thanks to a coordinated operation between Romanian and Dutch authorities, in collaboration with Eurojust. During an action day earlier this month, 13 suspects were arrested in both countries. Four of the suspects have been surrendered from Romania to the Netherlands.