Law enforcement agencies from seven European countries have uncovered new leads into human trafficking and sexual exploitation networks operating through content subscription platforms following a four-day international police operation coordinated by INTERPOL and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
The operation, known as Operation CyberProtect III, was conducted from May 19 to May 22, 2026, and focused on the growing use of subscription-based content platforms to facilitate human trafficking and sexual exploitation. According to INTERPOL, the initiative generated dozens of new investigative leads, including the identification of suspect profiles, potential victims and suspicious cases.
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International Operation Targets Emerging Exploitation Model
Investigators said organised criminal groups are increasingly using content subscription services commonly associated with sexually explicit material to recruit and exploit women, minors and vulnerable adults. Victims are reportedly lured with promises of income before being drawn into exploitative content production.
INTERPOL noted that a Purple Notice issued in February 2026 highlighted a method in which criminal groups allegedly pose as legitimate modelling agencies. Once victims become involved, the groups reportedly take control of their accounts, retain most of the earnings and apply escalating psychological pressure and coercion to compel the production of increasingly explicit content.
Police Hackathon Generates New Investigative Leads
As part of the operation, 14 officers from participating countries worked together in a law enforcement “hackathon” format to identify warning signs across websites, social media, messaging applications and subscription platforms.
The operation identified 34 suspicious cases, 18 suspect profiles and 27 potential victims. Investigators said the structure of subscription platforms and the coded language used on them can make detection difficult while creating challenges for law enforcement agencies operating across different jurisdictions.
Authorities also reported that criminal groups promote coaching programmes claiming to teach users how to profit from exploiting women through subscription platforms. This practice, described as “e-pimping”, involves the use of digital tools to organise exploitation on a large scale.
Investigators Flag New Trends and Techniques
The operation uncovered several trends linked to online sexual exploitation networks. Investigators observed a high prevalence of advertisements featuring female models from South America, which they identified as a significant region of origin for both real-life and virtual exploitation.
Authorities also found that recruiters frequently used encrypted messaging platforms to contact potential victims, including requests for nude images without age verification. Content producer accounts were reportedly bought and sold for substantial amounts, with one messaging group linked to the activity containing up to 28,000 advertisements.
Investigators further identified the use of cryptocurrencies and diamond emojis as payment indicators, with some rates for private video content reported to be as low as USD 3 for 25 minutes. Social media platforms were also being used by individuals described as e-pimps and managers to exchange strategies and experiences. In addition, authorities noted the use of artificial intelligence to generate fake profiles that support human-led content operations.
Participating countries in Operation CyberProtect III included Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. The operation was led by INTERPOL and the OSCE, with support from multiple public and private sector organisations.
