Mounties in the Hamilton area are on the hunt for a family they allege has been running a human trafficking ring, taking advantage of poor immigrants they lured to the country.

Ten family members from the Hamilton area have been charged by the RCMP's immigration and passport department, who likened the operation to a form of "modern-day slavery."

Impoverished immigrants, primarily men from Hungary, were lured to Hamilton, forced into labour and had social benefits stolen from them, police said on Friday.

"Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery and a priority of the RCMP," Insp. Steve Martin said in a statement.

"Public awareness is the first step towards putting an end to this horrific crime that robs one person's freedom to benefit another."

Victims were allegedly recruited from impoverished conditions in Hungary and brought to Canada with the promise of steady work, good pay and a better life.

When they arrived in Hamilton, they were coached to file false refugee claims and file for social assistance. Police allege that money was taken by the traffickers.

A 10-month investigation, dubbed "Project OPAPA," was launched in December 2009, when one of the men from Hungary contacted authorities.

Sixteen victims have been identified, all believed to have been lured to Hamilton, and kept in strict and inhumane conditions.

On Friday, the Canadian Press reported that three more people had come forward with similar stories.

The victims are said to have been forced to live in the basement of their traffickers' home and often fed scraps and leftovers only once a day.

The victims claim they were taken to construction sites every day and forced to work long hours without pay.

Police allege the constant monitoring and threats made against the victims and their families in Hungary left the victims powerless to escape their situation.

Arrest warrants have been issued for the offence of trafficking in persons and fraud for Ferenc Domotor, 48; Ferenc Domotor Jr., 20; Gyongyi Kolompar, 40; Gizella Kolompar, 41; Lajos Domotor, 42; Ferenc Karadi, 47; Gizella Domotor, 42, Attila Kolompar, 35, and and Gyula Domotor, 32.

An arrest warrant has also been issued for Zsanett Karadi, 24. He is expected to face a charge of theft.