On the 25th of July this year, the Organized Crime Serious and Serial Crime Bureau of the Main Criminal Police Department of Latvian State Police initiated criminal proceedings against a company not registered in Latvia, which had illegally involved no less than 50 children in the collection of donations at the entrances of various shopping malls throughout Latvia.
Within the framework of criminal proceedings, a wide range of investigative actions have been carried out, including three arrests. In turn, at the beginning of November, the court imposed detention on two persons born in 2002 and 2005, and on Thursday, November 28, when reviewing the security measures, the court decided not to change them.
Within the framework of criminal proceedings, a wide range of investigative actions have been carried out, including three arrests. In turn, at the beginning of November, the court imposed detention on two persons born in 2002 and 2005, and on Thursday, the 28th of November.
When reviewing the security measures, the court decided to maintain measures in force.
According to the investigation, it was found that under the guise of the charity, the members of the criminal organized group engaged in human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, which was manifested in such a way that a job offer was posted on one of the websites, inviting children from the age of 14 to become “advertising agents”.
Job seekers were told that knowledge of the Latvian language was not necessary, flexible work schedule and daily wages were promised, the State Police informs.
Forged documents were provided to the children, in order to justify their presence at the places of donation collection. The organizers gave false information to the job seekers about the true nature of the proposed work, thereby involving them in criminal activities.
Both children and donors were told that the collection of donations was organized to assist in treating severely ill children in Europe.
Also, children were tutored on how to answer questions asked by state or municipal police inspections.
With the donation collected during the day, each volunteer returned to the rented office in Riga at the end of the working day, where donation boxes were opened, money was added and distributed. 20% was paid as a reward to the donor – the child, and the rest of the money was distributed among the members of the organized group.
It is underage children who were deliberately involved in the criminal offence specifically to psychologically influence passers-by in order to achieve their greater responsiveness. During the investigation, it was found that the donations were spent on improving the well-being of the organizers – purchases of expensive branded electrical equipment, private trips, the purchase of intoxicating substances, etc.
In total, the company illegally involved no less than 50 children and obtained funds equal to no less than EUR 80 000.