Through a disturbing new recruitment tactic, rings involved in the transport immigrants are exploiting social networks, specifically TikTok, to reach out to Greek drivers. The profiles they use often feature photos of beautiful women, while their videos and stories hide a more sinister message: offers of high pay for those who take on the task of transporting migrants, with the promise of pay of up to 2,500 euros per trip.

The process starts unprovoked, with these profiles putting up posts stating that they are looking for drivers, claiming that the transport is for “migrants with papers”, in order not to arouse suspicion or receive reports from users. However, when the communication is transferred to the Telegram app, the reality is revealed.

The instructions and the bait

Once the person agrees to participate, they immediately receive detailed instructions for the job. The message is clear:

“I have 5 people now in Orestiada. Are you ready to work?”

The communication is targeted. Contacts are made only when there is “load” available, avoiding unnecessary conversations for security reasons. Follow-up contact with a circuit member was made five days after the initial contact when new work came up.

Those showing interest are subsequently given more details. In messages, the ring describes its practices in other European countries, such as Ukraine and Croatia, and promises cooperation within Greece, with routes from Orestiada to Thessaloniki.

“Pay €2500 per trip. If you are interested, send me a picture of your car and what city you live in.”

The response to the police

Asked about the possibility of arrest or police checks, members of the ring leave no room for doubt. While at first, they insist that everything is done legally, their response is revealing:

“I’ll show you the way. Don’t worry.”

Social media recruitment shows the flexibility and adaptability of circuits to new technologies. At the same time, the insistence on presenting transfers as legitimate underscores the attempt to deceive those drivers who may be naive or desperate for money. Authorities are confronted with a new type of criminal activity, where the TikTok “front” also disguises, via Telegram, a network that is expanding across Europe, endangering those involved and the safety of migrants.

The popular Telegram messaging app, which emphasizes security and anonymity, has become an ideal tool for criminal organizations. Its features, such as strong encryption and the absence of state intervention, make it attractive for activities such as drug and migrant trafficking, terrorist activities, and cybercrime.

The debate over the use of Telegram in illegal activities recently came to a head after Pavel Durov, the platform’s founder and CEO, was arrested at Le Bourget airport near Paris. Durov is accused by French authorities of failing to take adequate measures to prevent criminal activities through his app and is allegedly indirectly linked to cases of trafficking in illegal content, including child abuse material. The case highlights the difficulty social media platforms face in balancing user privacy with the need for security and compliance with the law. Despite Telegram’s assurances that it complies with European Union regulations, authorities are calling for greater transparency and cooperation to curb the use of the platform for illegal activities.