More than 30 potential victims identified during international Hackathon against human trafficking

Gebied: Den Haag

From September 15 to 19, 2025, Europol supported the fourth edition of the EMPACT Trafficking in Human Beings (THB) Hackathon, an online action week against human trafficking.

During the action week, experts searched social media platforms, marketplaces, dating apps, job banks, escort agencies, and chat platforms for suspects facilitating online sexual or labor-related exploitation. They found indications of human trafficking on 44 online platforms, with the following results:

33 potential victims of human trafficking identified
31 potential perpetrators identified
53 platforms checked
302 URLs related to human trafficking detected
137 social networks related to human trafficking detected

During the action week, it became clear that escort agencies dominate the market for sexual services and are active in multiple EU countries. These services appear to be coordinated by some organized crime groups. Participants in the Hackathon also noted that potential victims of human trafficking for sexual exploitation were always accompanied by a man who seemed to act as their handler.

Additionally, experts noted an increase in advertisements generated by artificial intelligence to lure victims. They also observed a shift towards advanced payment methods, where only cryptocurrencies are accepted. Analysts also found platforms with indicators of organ trafficking and sites with child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the dark web, as well as pages claiming to rent, buy, and sell minors, including newborns.

Collaboration since 2022

Europol participated in the hackathon and provided coordinated support on-site. The experts also contributed to cross-checks and operational analyses from Europols headquarters in The Hague. Eurojust provided analytical support and ensured the swift involvement of judicial authorities, alongside the Dutch Public Prosecution Service.

The first EMPACT THB Hackathon was in 2022. The action week has now taken place four years in a row. The initiative has become a crucial tool for investigators to pool expertise, coordinate cross-border online monitoring, identify potential victims at an early stage, improve the detection of human trafficking networks, and initiate new investigations.

Global connections

Human trafficking is increasingly taking place online. Criminal networks exploit the internet to spread fake job offers, build manipulative online relationships, and stream sexual exploitation, recruiting victims worldwide.

A stronger and more visible online presence of police and justice is crucial to prevent the phenomenon from growing and becoming unmanageable, hidden behind encrypted apps, social media platforms, and the dark web.

The following countries and organizations participated in the Hackathon:

EU countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden.
Third countries: Brazil, Georgia, *Kosovo, Moldova, Serbia, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
EU agencies: Europol and Eurojust

About EMPACT

EMPACT is the European Multidisciplinary Platform against Criminal Threats. EMPACT is the European Unions approach to threats arising from organized, serious, international crime. This includes human trafficking, illegal firearms, drugs, and cybercrime. EMPACT strengthens international operational and strategic cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and information between police and justice and partners such as the Public Prosecution Service, customs, KMAR, FIOD, and the Labor Inspectorate.