Traffickers targeting Ukrainians at border

Traffickers are omnipresent on the Ukraine border seeking to exploit individuals traumatised by war, an intelligence expert has warned.

Stephen Komorek, CEO of a private sector group that tackles criminal gangs, detailed the troubling situation on the Poland-Ukraine border in an interview with an American anti-slavery campaigner.

Komorek told Mitzi Perdue: “Traffickers work as a team to select their victims. The first member of this team is the spotter. The spotter identifies and selects the potential victims.

"You can usually see spotters on their phones watching and calling in potential victims before the victims get where the second part of the team lurks, ready to take control of the victim.”

Human traffickers often approach exhausted women and escort them and their children to a waiting bus, promising them food and shelter. But the bus is operated by criminals.

Once a woman is under the trafficker’s control, Komorek says, he'll take her identification papers and then use the children as hostages in order to force women into sexual services.

This isn't the only abuse perpetrated by criminals. He adds: "Traffickers are now targeting refugees for organ harvesting. Kidneys are the top selling commodity. People can buy them on the black market".

Asked what might make a difference, Komorek said he would like to see a government or volunteer shelter at border crossings where individuals could rest and recover for a day or two.

“If displaced persons could be afforded a shelter at the border, something as simple as a good night’s rest and a conversation with a knowledgeable person could save their lives.”

CARE has warned of an "acute" risk of human trafficking at the Ukraine border for months. On 2 March this year, just days after Russia invaded Ukraine, our policy expert Lauren Agnew said:

"Traffickers prey on the vulnerability of displaced individuals, who they see as an opportunity to turn a profit. A crisis like Ukraine is a business opportunity for criminals. We expect a disturbing spike in cases.

"We call on UK Ministers to recognise the acute risk of exploitation the people of Ukraine face as they flee war and step-up efforts at home and abroad to challenge this heinous industry.”