- Illegal trafficking activities are expected to significantly surge by 2023.
Germany Experiences Growth in Human Trafficking Cases in 2023
German law enforcement noticed a substantial rise in human trafficking incidents in 2023. Approximately 7,920 cases were logged, representing a surge of more than 60% compared to the previous year, as reported by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) based in Wiesbaden.
The number of potential offenders also saw a hike, rising by approximately 25% to 4,404 individuals. The primary suspects in these smuggling instances hailed from Syrian, German, Turkish, and Ukrainian nationalities.
Investigators raised concerns regarding the escalating trend of transporting individuals in containers potentially jeopardizing their lives. As per BKA, small vans were frequently employed for this purpose due to their ease of rental and the unnecessary requirement of a specialized driver's license.
These journeys carried risks of oxygen or water depletion, hypothermia, or injuries from accidents. The typical count of people discovered in the cargo area of a tiny van in Germany amplified from ten to nineteen between 2022 and 2023, according to the German human trafficking situation report released by the federal police.
Smuggling vehicles employed for hazardous evasive maneuvers
Smuggling groups exhibited growing recklessness and disregard for the safety of the individuals they were transporting, as well as passerby and police officers, to avoid detection, as per BKA. "Without consideration for the passengers or other road users, the smuggling vehicle serves as a getaway vehicle," BKA noted.
At least 200 escape attempts were documented in Germany in 2023 in relation to container smuggling, with an accident occurring in one out of every four cases.
Unlawful immigration patterns
Unlawful immigration to Germany surged in 2023. According to the BKA, based on police crime data, the authority apprehended 266,224 suspects for unlawful entry and residence the preceding year, a rise of around 33.4% compared to the previous year. The primary nations of origin were Syria (54,207 individuals), Turkey (35,732 individuals), and Afghanistan (35,370 individuals).
The number of unauthorized border crossings by migrants at the German border saw a 7% decrease in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year, according to the Federal Police at the end of July. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) had ordered fixed border controls at Poland, Czech Republic, and Switzerland in mid-October the previous year and subsequently extended them several times. However, half-year statistics provide limited insight due to the lack of the entire annual trend.
Main channels for smuggling
As per BKA observations, smuggling routes evolved in 2023. Compared to the previous year, there was an increase in border crossings via the EU/Schengen external borders through the central Mediterranean route to Italy and the eastern Mediterranean route to Greece. However, border crossings along the Western Balkans route (e.g., via Albania) and the Eastern route (e.g., via Russia to Poland) decreased.
For smuggling communication, messaging services such as Telegram and WhatsApp were predominantly used, according to BKA. Additionally, smuggling organizations utilized social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to advertise their services by posting short promotional videos and recruiting drivers through the same platforms.
The increase in human trafficking cases in Germany in 2023 originated from various nations, including Syria, Germany, Turkey, and Ukraine. Despite the rise in unlawful immigration to Germany, the number of unauthorized border crossings decreased by 7% in the first half of 2024.
