Belgium’s Shadow Economy: Human Trafficking, Arms Smuggling, Cyber Crimes, and More

Brussels, Belgium - Known for its chocolate, waffles, and EU institutions, Belgium harbors a hidden dark underbelly. Criminal networks have identified this country as a hotspot for various illicit activities, including:

Human Trafficking

The Belgian division of the international sex trade is predominantly controlled by West African networks and Chinese smugglers, targeting cities like Brussels, Antwerp, and Liège.

• Brussels, Antwerp, and Liège are the primary destinations.
• Reported cases have seen a decrease, but underreporting or the decline in prevalence remains unclear.

Arms Smuggling

Belgium is Europe’s major transit hub for illicit firearms, with most entering through the Balkans or other EU member states.

• Historical involvement in firearms production and export contributes to the problem.
• Illegal possession and use of military-grade assault rifles have increased.
• 3D-printed firearms and dark web acquisitions are on the rise.

Counterfeit Goods

Belgian ports and airports receive significant volumes of illegal exports, mainly counterfeit toys, games, cigarettes, and other products. Young Belgians lead the EU in buying counterfeit goods, and sales grew exponentially during the pandemic.

Environmental Crimes

The port of Antwerp is a key transit point for illicit timber from Central Africa, some potentially sourced from criminal organizations and militia groups.

• Belgium plays a role in the wildlife trade as a transit point for ivory, pangolin scales, big cat products, and more.

Drugs

Belgium is primarily a destination for heroin, entering through the Balkan and southern routes, and a major hub for cocaine, with significant trafficking through the port of Antwerp and Brussels and Liège airports.

• Cannabis cultivation and synthetic drugs production, particularly MDMA (Ecstasy), are also present.

Cyber Crimes

Ransomware attacks and coordinated cyber-attacks have become increasingly common in Belgium.

• Law enforcement often collaborates with European counterparts, but local authorities are not always well-equipped to deal with these crimes.

Financial Crimes

Identity fraud, Ponzi schemes, and other financial crimes are common in Belgium. International tax fraud is a concern as well.

• Cyber-enabled financial crimes, including fuel card cloning and online phishing attacks, are on the rise.
• A lack of resources and limited investigative and prosecutorial capacity often allows many financial crimes to go unchecked.

Criminal Actors

Smaller, informal networks, primarily made up of individuals from Eastern Europe and the Netherlands, dominate the criminal landscape in Belgium.

• These networks are involved in various activities, including drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human smuggling.
• Collaboration between international criminal groups, particularly those based in Albania, Italy, Turkey, and the Netherlands, is a significant concern.

While Belgium has taken steps to address these issues, including signing international treaties and collaborating with international organizations, the country remains an attractive target for criminal networks due to its strategic location and complex socioeconomic environment. The fight against organized crime in Belgium requires ongoing commitment and resources from both the public and private sectors.