They come across false identities, forged receipts, unclear chains of subcontractors and millions of euros in social and tax fraud. A story in which Belgian construction companies and Belgian accountants play a dubious role. From the Brazilian state of Goias, thousands of Brazilians leave for Belgium every year, and numerous bogus travel agencies make a handsome living from the trade in cheap labour. The Belgian government, the International Organisation for Migration and local Brazilian authorities are now planning a campaign to keep Brazilians out of the clutches of these trafficking networks.
This story won the Citi Journalistic Excellence Award on 5 April 2011.
