Trio nabbed for trafficking women to Benin

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In: South-East Asia

Sufferers attracted by outside job offers made on TikTok, state police

PUBLISHED: 25 Sep 2024 at 20: 34

A suspect signs a document given to her by a police officer on Wednesday. She and two others, including a Chinese man, were arrested separately on Tuesday for allegedly being a part of a human trafficking network that tricked Thai women into prostituting themselves in the West African nation of Benin. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)
On Wednesday, a police officer gave a think a document that she signed. She and two others, including a Chinese man, were detained on Tuesday in separate reportedly portion of a human trafficking operation that supposedly persuaded Thai women to se prostitute themselves in Benin, West Africa. ( Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham )

A Chinese man and two Thai people have been detained on suspicion of being members of a human trafficking organization that allegedly coerced Thai people into committing prostitution in Benin, a West African nation.

Piyanutta Poowiangkaew, 39, was apprehended at a hostel in tambon Khlong Preng of Muang region in Chachoengsao on Tuesday. Wiyada Pahurat, 35 and Chinese federal Li Yong, 41, were caught at Suvarnabhumi aircraft as they were clearing immigration the same day, said Pol Maj Gen Saruti Kwaengsopa, captain of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division.

The three experience claims of human trafficking, participation in adultery, being members of a crime company and misleading people into leaving the country.

Six people filed a complaint with anti-trafficking officers on October 12 last year, alleging they had been subjects of the crew, following the arrests.

The plaintiffs claimed to have been offered jobs by TikTok video opening to function at a Thai massage resort in Benin. They were rather forced to work as brothels after arriving in the American nation.

The patients claimed that if they objected, they may undergo torture. In contrast, they were not paid for their services immediately, as the group claimed they had to protect their travel expenses.

Following the issues, Pol Maj Gen Saruti launched an investigation that turned up the three offenders.

He claimed that Ms. Piyanutta was in charge of getting in touch with prospective patients on TikTok. Mr Wiyada and Mr Yong, who are married, sent them abroad and forced them to provide gender services. The three have denied the claims, according to authorities.

Wiyada Pahurat, 35; and a 41-year-old Chinese man named Li Yong are among the three suspects arrested for their alleged involvement in human traficking. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

Wiyada Pahurat, 35, and her father Li Yong, 41, are among the three suspects arrested for alleged role in human trafficking. ( Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham )

Piyanutta Poowiangkaew, 39, at a dormitory in tambon Khlong Preng of Chachoengsao's Muang district on Tuesday. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)

Suspect Piyanutta Poowiangkaew, 39, is arrested at a hostel in tambon Khlong Preng of Muang region in Chachoengsao on Tuesday. ( Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham )