Police rescue two sex trafficked Thai women from Hong Kong flat
Police came to the rescue of two Thai women imprisoned in a Hong Kong flat after falling prey to a sex trafficking scheme.
The women, aged 38 and 47 and worked as masseurs, were trapped in a Yau Ma Tei flat in Temple Street after they refused to engage in sex work.
A 50 year old Hong Kong woman was taken into custody in connection with the incident and was being held on suspicion of unlawful detention, South China Morning Post reported.
The two victims, who had Thai passports and did not know each other, were lured to Hong Kong after meeting a Chinese woman through an online platform, according to the police.
A police spokesperson said…
“The two victims were told that they would work as masseurs with valid permits and then arranged to fly into Hong Kong.”
The two women accepted the job offers and flew to Hong Kong on Tuesday night. They were individually picked up at the airport and brought to a flat on Temple Street in Yau Ma Tei where they spent the night. However, when they attempted to leave the flat the following morning, they discovered that they were trapped inside.
The police said…
“They were told that they had to work and pay the rent for the flat if they wanted to leave.”
According to the police officer, the perpetrators demanded that the victims work as prostitutes, but they refused.
The situation came to light when the women sought assistance from the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Hong Kong, who then notified the police. A team of crime-squad officers broke into the flat and rescued the women, who were reported to be unharmed.
During the subsequent investigation, the two victims identified a 50 year old woman as one of their captors when they were taken back to the flat.
The police reported that a key to the flat was found in the suspect’s possession. The authorities are currently searching for at least two more suspects.
The 50 year old woman is still in police custody for questioning.
