A shocking new revelation has surfaced about people-smuggling operations, where migrants rate their journey across Europe in a Tripadvisor-style manner, reviewing the services provided by smuggling gangs. This disturbing practice has uncovered the terrifying reality of illegal migration and the criminal enterprise behind it.
In this blog, we dive into the story of two men, Dilshad Shamo and Ali Khdir, who ran a sophisticated people-smuggling network, facilitating the illegal movement of migrants across Europe. From WhatsApp communication to customer testimonials, the scale and organisation of these illegal operations are staggering.
Key Takeaways:
- People-smuggling gangs are using social media to promote their services, including migrant reviews and video testimonials.
- Migrants share their experiences, rating services, such as platinum-tier smuggling involving plane tickets and fake passports.
- Dilshad Shamo and Ali Khdir ran the operation, smuggling migrants from Iraq, Iran, and Syria into Europe via a series of countries including Turkey, Bosnia, and France.
- Both men were arrested after a successful National Crime Agency operation.
1. The ‘Tripadvisor-style’ Reviews of People Smugglers
In a bizarre and chilling twist, migrants smuggled into Europe were filmed giving reviews of their journey – much like customers sharing feedback on Tripadvisor. This appalling method not only shows the scale of the operation but also the brutal efficiency of people-smuggling networks.
- Dilshad Shamo and Ali Khdir, the men behind the smuggling ring, used social media platforms to distribute videos and messages from migrants who had successfully made the perilous journey.
- In one video, a family traveling by plane shares their satisfaction, saying: “We are very happy … this is the visa, may god bless him, we are really happy.”
- Another video shows a group of migrants in the back of a lorry (HGV) giving a thumbs-up, while one migrant states: “Lorry route agreement, crossing agreement with the knowledge of the driver. Here we have men, women, and children. Thank God the route was easy and good.”
This disturbing trend highlights how the smugglers’ operations functioned almost like a customer service industry – with happy clients promoting the services to attract more vulnerable people into their illegal network.
2. How the Smuggling Network Operated
Shamo and Khdir’s operation was highly organised, moving 100 migrants per week over a span of two years. They offered a range of services depending on how much migrants were willing to pay for the journey:
- Platinum-tier service: This top-level service included a fake passport and a plane ticket, costing between £10,000 and £25,000.
- Gold-tier service: This option, costing between £8,000 and £10,000, involved travel by cargo ship or yacht.
- Standard service: The most affordable but riskiest option, costing between £3,000 and £5,000, involved travel by lorry, often in unsafe conditions.
The gang used Hawala money brokers, a system commonly used in the Middle East and Asia, to arrange and receive payments. Migrants were required to pay a deposit to initiate the smuggling process, and once the agreed-upon route and timeframe were confirmed, their journey would begin.
3. How the National Crime Agency Brought Down the Smuggling Ring
The NCA, working in close collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, managed to infiltrate Shamo and Khdir’s operations and bring them to justice.
- Surveillance: The investigation began after a tip-off from a concerned member of the public. The NCA began secretly recording phone calls and monitoring the smugglers’ activities.
- Tracking the Gang: Authorities tracked the gang’s network, revealing how they facilitated migrant movement through a series of countries, including Turkey, Moldova, Romania, and Germany, with the ultimate goal of getting migrants into the UK.
- Customer Testimonials: In a shocking twist, officers discovered videos of migrants talking about their experiences, promoting the smuggling services to others. This “word of mouth” approach helped the gang expand their business.
Shamo and Khdir’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the dangerous world of human trafficking and the relentless efforts of law enforcement to dismantle these networks.
4. The Human Cost of People Smuggling
While these smugglers profited from their criminal enterprise, they put countless lives at risk. The migrants involved in this operation were often vulnerable individuals fleeing violence, poverty, or political instability. Many of them were forced to endure perilous journeys across harsh terrains, often in overcrowded or unsafe conditions.
The people-smuggling network not only endangered the lives of these individuals but also facilitated the movement of people who may have been unaware of the risks involved. Some were forced to travel in unsafe vehicles, such as lorries or makeshift boats, while others faced the threat of exploitation or being abandoned in foreign countries.
The impact of these criminal operations extends beyond the UK, affecting countries across Europe, particularly in regions such as Italy, France, and Germany, where the migrants sought refuge.
5. The Road Ahead: Tackling People-Smuggling Networks
Following the convictions of Shamo and Khdir, the UK government has vowed to intensify efforts to dismantle people-smuggling networks.
- Dame Angela Eagle, the Minister for Border Security and Asylum, condemned the actions of these smugglers and promised increased measures to combat this crime.
- The Border Security Command will use advanced technology and work closely with transit countries to disrupt smuggling routes before they reach European shores.
A critical part of tackling people smuggling is increasing awareness of the dangers involved in using these illegal services and providing safe, legal routes for people seeking asylum. Law enforcement agencies are working harder than ever to ensure that these criminal enterprises are brought to justice, and vulnerable individuals are protected.
Conclusion: The Ongoing Battle Against People Smuggling
The case of Dilshad Shamo and Ali Khdir highlights the disturbing trend of people-smuggling gangs using social media as a tool to promote their illegal services. By offering reviews from “satisfied customers,” these gangs presented their criminal activities as a form of travel agency – a dangerous illusion that has put many lives at risk.
As the authorities continue to dismantle these networks, it is crucial to remember the human cost of people smuggling. The journey may seem promising for some, but the dangers are very real.
By raising awareness and supporting legal migration routes, we can work together to reduce the demand for dangerous and exploitative people-smuggling services.
