A couple from Leupegem (East Flanders) was discovered to be behind an exceptional luxury human trafficking operation which offered bespoke but illegal travel from Iraq and Iran to Europe.
The couple, Ahmed A. (62) and Dorra G. (30), picked up wealthy Iraqis and Iranians and brought them to Europe in private planes with forged papers, Het Nieuwsblad reports. Wevelgem airport served as a hub that the couple exploited to lucrative ends until US security services became aware of the situation.
The unprecedented case that was uncovered in September exposes the less-known 'luxury people trade'. In this case, the deals are thought to have been taking place for two years with private jets picking up refugees and bringing them to Europe. Asylum seekers with enough money could book a flight at Iraqi Sulaymania Airport and board the private jets provided by the couple.
High rewards
A total of 20 trips took place with some flights carrying up to 20 people. Prices ranged from $10,000 to $30,000. One family with two children paid $60,000 for their flight to Europe.
The masterminds behind the operation ran their illegal business from a row house in Leupegem and made considerable profits until US security services – who have a strong presence in Iraq – noticed something was off. Europol was notified and the Belgian authorities sprung into action, raiding the residence.
Investigators found €80,000 in cash, an aircraft GPS, blank American Express credit cards, fake diplomatic passports and identity cards, fake cheques and devices to make the forgeries. At Wevelgem airport, investigators seized two private planes belonging to the couple, which they had recently purchased.
Seek asylum or disappear
Refugees were given fake diplomatic passports in the border region of Iraq and Iran and then boarded a plane, allegedly to an exotic holiday destination in the Caribbean during which a stopover had to be made in Europe. Yet after touching down in Belgium, the passengers were led out of the airports and could go into hiding or seek asylum in Europe.
The couple also booked several hotels in Brussels for their clients that they did not pay for, using instead fake cheques. Yet beyond their unlawful activities, the couple was fairly reputable, living mainly in France and also owning a firm in luxury goods in Brussels.
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When they moved to Leupegem, they started pretending to be more "pious". Ahmed grew a long beard and Dorra suddenly wore a headscarf. Perhaps they did this mainly to remain as unrecognisable as possible because besides being extremely friendly, they were also "very discreet" according to the local residents.
The couple has now been arrested and charged with human trafficking (with the aggravating circumstance that they also smuggled children), forgery, using of false documents and money laundering. Three arrests have also been made in Italy concerning the case, one of them a relative of Ahmed and another an accountant.
