A court has sentenced several adults to prison for abusing children and forcing them to steal from Disneyland Paris guests.

Disneyland Paris Theft

According to Loopings, four men and three women of the Roma and Hamidovic families were sentenced for human trafficking on Wednesday, September 23. They exploited dozens of minors and young adults, the majority of whom were their own children.

The adults used physical abuse such as burns, as well as sexual violence to pressure the children, who stole from tourists while they were distracted by parades and shows at the theme parks.

48-year-old Roberto Hamidovic led the group with his wife Lejla. He received the harshest sentence of eight years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros. His wife was sentenced to six years and a fine of 300,000 euros. Two sons, a nephew, and sisters-in-law were sentenced to five to seven years with fines. All seven are permanently banned from entering France.

The investigation began in late 2022 after an anonymous tip. Witness statements and security footage revealed how the group operated. A young girl would point out a victim, then another child would search their belongings while the remaining children stood lookout. They then returned to the adults to hand over the stolen goods.

Their loot averaged 25,000 euros a day. The men lived lavishly, visiting casinos, expensive hotels, and restaurants, and owned luxury cars and jewelry. The children, however, lived in poor conditions.

In addition to Disneyland Paris, the group also operated in the surrounding area, including at train and metro stations. They primarily targeted foreign tourists.

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