In recent years, Spain has faced a troubling transformation in its sex work market. Street prostitution has nearly disappeared, but the problem has not gone away—it has simply changed form. Women once seen by the roadside are now hidden behind the doors of apartments turned into brothels. This has not only complicated police work but has also made the victims even more vulnerable: they are monitored by cameras, and the conditions resemble modern-day slavery.
A recent operation by Catalan police uncovered an extensive network operating simultaneously in Barcelona and Paris. The organizers lured women with promises of a better life, but in reality, they ended up trapped—under constant surveillance, with ever-growing debts, and no way to leave. Each of these ‘trap apartments’ housed between four and eight women, and the network actively expanded by posting dozens of online advertisements and even moving beyond Spain’s borders.
Hidden exploitation
The move of prostitution indoors was a result of the pandemic and stricter street controls. Now, victims are almost unreachable for the police: an investigation can only begin if someone from the inside sounds the alarm. That’s exactly what happened this time—one of the women dared to seek help, which led to the scheme’s exposure. The organizers, among them a woman with no criminal past, used psychological pressure, threats, and financial traps to keep the victims under control.
The women ended up in apartments with debts of around 2,000 euros, which grew due to charges for housing and food. Most of their earnings were taken by pimps, leaving the victims with only a small fraction. Many were so intimidated or dependent that fleeing or turning to the police was unthinkable. Some feared for their families, while others saw no alternative for themselves.
International scale
The investigation revealed that the network operated not only in Spain and France but also in other European countries. ‘Job’ ads appeared in Italy, Switzerland, and Luxembourg. The organizers frequently changed apartment addresses to cover their tracks and offered services not only in brothels but also for outcalls—to hotels and private homes. During the operation, the main suspect and eight accomplices were detained, including even relatives of the group leader. However, despite the severity of the charges, the main figure is currently free under judicial supervision.
Police note that such crimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Modern technologies are used: surveillance cameras, fake job ads, and social networks. Platforms like OnlyFans are now tools for recruiting new victims, while the internet serves as the main channel for targeting vulnerable women. Many come to Spain hoping for legal work, only to end up trapped in a situation that is almost impossible to escape.
Gaps in protection
The investigation uncovered not only a criminal scheme, but also vulnerabilities in the victim protection system. According to police representatives, the entire burden of proof and testimony falls on the women themselves. This discourages many from seeking help. Experts insist on the need for reforms: victims should give testimony only once, and the state must provide real protection and support.
During the latest operation, only two victims gave testimony, even though the actual number is much higher. Police continue to cooperate with colleagues from other countries to fully dismantle the network and help all those affected. However, combating such crimes requires not only the efforts of law enforcement, but also changes in legislation and increased public awareness.
New threats
The situation is further complicated by criminals increasingly using the internet to find victims. Fake job listings, enticing offers—all of this has become part of the scheme to lure women into prostitution. Many have no idea that by responding to an ad for a caregiver or housekeeper, they could end up in a brothel. Upon arrival in Spain, they are told that the promised job was just a cover and that now there is no way out.
Police warn that such schemes are becoming increasingly common, with victims growing younger and more vulnerable. It is important to be vigilant about advertisements and not to trust suspicious offers, especially when it comes to working abroad. Only joint efforts by society, the government, and law enforcement can halt the rise of this dangerous phenomenon.
In recent years, Spain and other European countries have seen a rise in crimes related to human trafficking and the exploitation of women. The pandemic accelerated the shift of prostitution to private venues, making it harder to identify victims and investigate such cases. Police are increasingly facing international networks that use modern technology to control and recruit. In 2025, a similar operation was uncovered in Madrid, while in Valencia a group operating on a similar principle was detained. Experts note that addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach and constant updating of countermeasures.
