Czech law enforcement has opened a criminal investigation into four individuals and one company suspected of human trafficking and the exploitation of young women through social media platforms, including OnlyFans.

The case is being handled by the National Centre against Organized Crime. Investigators say the group is believed to have targeted young women, many of them newly adults and in difficult financial or social situations, and to have used coordinated manipulation tactics to recruit them into producing erotic content.

According to the police, the suspects approached victims and persuaded them to create explicit photos and videos.

The women were then asked to sign contracts under the guise of artistic representation. In many cases, the victims did not have access to the accounts that were created in their name, nor control over the content or personal data used on those profiles.

Authorities say the material was subsequently monetised through paid subscriptions. Investigators also found that pressure was applied on the women to produce increasingly explicit content over time.

According to the findings, threats involving financial penalties and contractual fines were used as a form of coercion.

Police estimate that the group generated at least 3.6 million Czech crowns from the activity. Assets worth approximately 9 million crowns were seized during the investigation. One of the suspects has been placed in pre-trial detention following a court decision.

The case is being supervised by the regional prosecutor’s office in Ústí nad Labem. If convicted, the suspects face prison sentences ranging from five to twelve years.

Authorities have also called on potential victims or witnesses to come forward and contact investigators at [email protected].

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