Three people have been arrested by German authorities in connection with a large people-trafficking ring that is said to have smuggled rich Chinese nationals into Germany illegally. The arrests occurred on Wednesday as coordinated raids were conducted across nine federal states, with around 750 police officers searching 38 locations, including in the capital Berlin, said prosecutors and police.
The detainees, who were arrested in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, are suspected to be part of a ring charging customers as much as €230,000 (US$260,790) each to facilitate them to settle in Germany by deceitful means. One of the suspects has been held in custody.
The group used a fast-tracked German immigration program designed to bring in skilled professionals, according to investigators. By presenting themselves as wealthy Chinese nationals who were highly educated professionals with job offers from Germany, they obtained EU Blue Cards long-term residence and work permits valid throughout the European Union.
The authorities estimate that around 100 persons, including relatives, could have been admitted to Germany under these counterfeit arrangements. The operation, initiated in October 2023 by prosecutors in Flensburg, targets the group for commercial and organized human smuggling.
In the course of the raids, police confiscated significant digital and material evidence, considerable amounts of cash, and property worth more than €5 million.
In parallel, an investigation underway in North Rhine-Westphalia is investigating another suspected ring that allegedly procured residence permits for high-net-worth Chinese and Omani citizens by bribing public officials with sums worth six figures. Sixteen local government workers are said to be under investigation as part of a wider inquiry into 187 suspects.
One significant property seized during the investigation is Cologne’s Pascha brothel, reportedly bought by a Chinese buyer in 2021 and now thought to be connected to the smuggling ring.
