A serious case of international human trafficking is currently under full investigation, with Colombian police pressing charges against a man allegedly involved in transporting dozens of girls and women from Medellín and Bogotá to Albania for sexual exploitation. The case was exposed by investigative journalist and women’s rights activist in Tirana, Anila Hoxha. According to reports, Lucas Betancur and his father allegedly led a criminal network that approached young women from Latin American countries, promising legitimate work and high incomes.
However, the victims ended up trapped in forced prostitution, initially in Albania and subsequently in other European countries such as Serbia, Croatia, and Spain. Prosecutors estimate that the network’s illegal profits reached nearly one million euros from the sexual exploitation of women forced to work as escorts. Human trafficking has shown an alarming increase in Albania over the past four years.
Trafficking victims’ testimonies – What they were promised
Albanian police files record daily cases with victims from Venezuela, Ecuador, Brazil, Ukraine, China, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Romania. The testimonies describe a similar pattern: promises of legitimate work, coverage of travel and accommodation expenses, followed by the imposition of exploitative conditions. 23-year-old “Valentina” describes traveling to Albania following a family friend’s proposal, without knowing that prostitution is criminally punishable in the country. As she reports, she was informed about the risks only after her arrival, while the trafficker allegedly threatened her companion. She remained in Albania for four months without access to the money collected in her name.
She claims she worked as an aesthetician in Colombia and sought to secure capital to open her own beauty center. Instead, she found herself facing justice, while – as she states – the alleged network leader is in prison. According to data, at least 75 police operations were conducted within one year in Albania, resulting in arrests of women operating through digital platforms, often with false identity documents.
