Four men suspected of belonging to a criminal organisation involved in large-scale people trafficking are to appear in court on Friday for a preliminary hearing.

The public prosecutor accuses the men, all from Brabant, of forcing at least 14 women trafficked from South America to work as prostitutes. The case against a fifth suspect is still being investigated.

The public prosecutor said they offered the women’s services online and managed contacts with clients. They also organised plane tickets and transport from the airport.

The women were housed in bungalows in several holiday parks in Brabant, and at homes in the province.

The case came to light in June 2023 when a Belgian woman went to the police to report a man who she claimed had beaten her up for not giving him the money she had earned.

Apart from the Belgian woman, police found some 13 women from Columbia and Venezuela had been part of the illegal prostitution ring. The women, all over 18, have since returned to their home countries.

Following an investigation, police arrested four men from Sint-Oedenrode, Veghel and Helmond aged 34, 32, 26 and 25 respectively.

The public prosecutor said it had “strong proof” against the suspects, including tapped phone conversations, camera footage and the witness statements of the victims.