DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

22 July 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Politics
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

13 arrested in NL and Romania in forced prostitution probe

July 22, 2025
Red light district in Amsterdam.
Photo: Depositphotos.com

Dutch and Romanian police have arrested 13 people in a joint investigation into human trafficking and the forced prostitution of Romanian women, mainly in and around Amsterdam, officials said on Monday.

The suspects, all Romanian nationals aged between 20 and 43, were detained during a coordinated campaign on July 1.

Six arrests were made in the Netherlands and seven in Romania. Four of those detained in Romania have since been extradited to the Netherlands under a European arrest warrant.

The investigation centres on a suspected criminal network that approached vulnerable women through social media and began what appeared to be romantic relationships.

The women, aged between 21 and 37, were persuaded to enter prostitution under the illusion they were being offered love, safety and financial stability.

Police said the suspects made the women emotionally and financially dependent, and in some cases used psychological pressure or violence when the victims wanted to stop.

The group is thought to have been active for several years. At least 10 women have been identified as victims, but Amsterdam police said more may come forward.

During house searches in both countries, police seized vehicles, cash and digital devices. The proceeds from the exploitation were allegedly laundered and invested in luxury goods and property in Romania.

Eight suspects remain in custody in the Netherlands. The investigation is ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Crime Sex workers Society
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Vion first to face complaint via OECD animal welfare guidelines
Red light district in Amsterdam.
13 arrested in NL and Romania in forced prostitution probe
Dutch surprised by trial for planned attack on Eurovision 2020
Mathieu van der Poel quits Tour de France with pneumonia
Dutch pledge "substantial" contribution for Ukraine Patriots
NewsHomeEconomyPoliticsArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now