Barcelona authorities are facing new challenges in combating human trafficking, as exploiters increasingly use online platforms and clandestine flats to ensnare vulnerable individuals. This shift marks a significant change from traditional street prostitution, complicating police investigations across the city and wider Catalonia. The hunt for Leuidis Isaac Corro Camacho, known as ‘La Diabla’, a Venezuelan transsexual woman who trafficked compatriots, began in Barcelona.
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‘La Diabla’ coerced women into sexual exploitation, often after forcing them to undergo cosmetic surgery, such as liposuction and breast augmentation. Victims incurred debts of 10,000 to 12,000 euros, which they were compelled to repay through prostitution. Inspector Roberto Molina, head of Group 1 of the Human Trafficking Section of the National Police in Catalonia, stated that ‘La Diabla’ “recruited compatriots to prostitute them here and then ‘sold’ them to a club in Caspe, Zaragoza.” After her initial arrest, a court instructor did not order her imprisonment, allowing her to flee with her then-partner, a German police officer. Police re-arrested her in Hamburg in December 2021. She was recently sentenced to six years in prison for human trafficking and coercive prostitution.
The methods of recruitment have diversified significantly. Lieutenant Sonia Hurtado from the Human Trafficking Section of the Unidad Central Operativa (UCO) explained that tactics range “from false job offers on LinkedIn or InfoJobs to those involving partial deception.” She added that individuals “may have been openly recruited to engage in prostitution and still be victims” due to their extreme vulnerability and the conditions imposed upon them. These conditions often include threats, beatings, or demands for a portion of their earnings.
The Rise of Clandestine Exploitation
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a major shift in sexual exploitation from streets and clubs to private flats and tourist accommodations. Inspector Molina confirmed this move into clandestinity “complicates detection.” Lieutenant Hurtado noted that exploiters now frequently rent tourist apartments through online platforms like Airbnb and Booking. This change means “there is no longer a specific point that the police can control,” making surveillance and intervention more difficult. Additionally, traffickers create online profiles using images of the victims themselves, further hindering identification and rescue efforts.
Online Platforms and Digital Trafficking
Online platforms, including dating applications like Tinder and content sites such as OnlyFans platform, have become new avenues for recruitment. Inspector Molina warned that OnlyFans “can be the preliminary step to entering the world of trafficking and prostitution,” often through “total or partial deception.” Traffickers contact users with the intention of bringing them to Spain for exploitation. The Guardia Civil has even identified cases of minors uploading sexual content. Captors convinced them they “had a beautiful body and should sell it.” This case was revealed by the UCO at the III International Congress on Human Trafficking in September. A 2024 study by the Federación Mujeres Jóvenes also highlighted OnlyFans as a platform that “whitewashes pimping.” OnlyFans stated they have no knowledge of such “activity” and maintain a “zero-tolerance policy” against illegalities.
Challenges in Barcelona and Beyond
Barcelona has long grappled with sexual exploitation. Over a decade ago, Nigerian women were commonly seen on Las Ramblas, many of whom were victims of trafficking. Inspector Molina lamented, “one thing is knowing it and another is being able to prove it.” These women were often subjected to voodoo rituals and forced to steal from tourists if they failed to find clients. In 2010, the Mossos d’Esquadra arrested a trafficking gang operating in this central Barcelona area. The Ajuntament de Barcelona later modified its civic ordinance. It imposed fines for soliciting paid sex. This pushed prostitution off the streets but did not eradicate the problem. Inspector Molina confirmed, “You expel them from the street, but they go to flats.”
Legal Complexities and Victim Vulnerability
The Spanish Penal Code does not criminalise prostitution itself, but it does punish pimping and sexual exploitation. Prosecuting these crimes is particularly complex because it requires “a victim who wants to tell their story,” according to both the National Police and the Guardia Civil. Many victims, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds, are reluctant to cooperate due to fear or lack of alternatives. Inspector Molina noted that the origin of victims is often linked to geopolitical situations, with a significant percentage now coming from South America, primarily Colombia. Transgender women are among the most vulnerable. They often return to prostitution even after being ‘liberated’ and offered support by NGOs. This is driven by the need to send money to their families abroad.
Public Awareness and Future Efforts
The lack of public awareness further complicates efforts to combat trafficking. Inspector Molina stated that many calls or emails received by the National Police in Catalonia’s human trafficking unit come from “neighbours annoyed because their doorbells ring at 02:00.” This highlights a significant lack of understanding regarding the severity of the issue. Authorities continue to monitor online activities and clandestine operations, but the evolving nature of exploitation demands ongoing international cooperation and increased public vigilance to protect vulnerable individuals.
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Originally published by ABC Cataluña. Read original article.
