Gangs from Eastern Europe use budget airlines to commit crimes across the continent , says Europol chief
Head of European law enforcement agency said gangs are using cheap airlines to commit crimes in different locations before returning home
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Criminal gangs from Eastern Europe are believed to be targeting cities across the continent, using budget airlines to travel and carry out crimes in various locations, before returning home.
EU law enforcement agency Europol said "petty criminals were operating across multiple jurisdictions" in Europe, with the most common crimes including card skimming and pick-pocketing, according to The Times.
'Card-skimming' involves illegally copying data from a card's magnetic strip, usually using a fake attachment on a cash machine.
A cloned card can then be used to make purchases under another person's name.
Europol crime analysts estimate Romanian and Bulgarian gangs are responsible for 90 per cent of all card-skimming offences committed across the continent. The agency has identified approximately 240 organised crime gangs from Romania, whose operations account for nearly seven per cent of all active criminal networks in Europe, The Times reported.
Speaking to the newspaper, Robert Wainwright, director of Europol described a "travelling criminal gang phenomenon" which he said was becoming increasingly more prevelant during the last three years. "Gangs from Lithuania, gangs from Poland, gangs from Romania [...] are operating in 20 or more European countries", he said.
“They fly on low-cost airlines, do a few hits in one city and get back in time for tea. It's very different for the local police to respond to that.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments