Three Peruvian women have been rescued from a lodge in Gqeberha after they were allegedly lured to SA under false pretences and drawn into a suspected online scam operation targeting people in their home country.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the operation followed information received through the National Human Trafficking Hotline after the Peruvian government raised the alarm over an 18-year-old woman allegedly recruited with the promise of a job at an online call centre.
“The information was relayed through the appropriate channels, leading to the law enforcement intervention,” he said.
The young woman reportedly arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on October 2 and was transported to Gqeberha the following day.
However, upon arriving at a lodge in Bluewater Bay, she allegedly discovered that the activities taking place there differed significantly from the employment opportunity she had been promised.
Preliminary information indicated that the premises were allegedly being used to conduct online scams targeting people in Peru, with participants reportedly expected to communicate in Spanish.
The woman subsequently contacted her father in Peru and provided information that helped authorities locate the suspected operation.
On Friday, at about 5pm, Hawks members, working alongside officials from the Department of Home Affairs’ Immigration division, proceeded to the identified premises.
They encountered 26 people, comprising 14 Peruvian women and 12 men.
Dozens of people found
They encountered 26 people, comprising 14 Peruvian women and 12 men.
The men reportedly included two South African nationals allegedly employed as drivers, two Chinese nationals identified as tenants of the premises associated with the online business, and eight Peruvian men.
“The circumstances surrounding the individuals’ presence at the premises and their respective roles are being investigated,” Mhlakuvana said.
The three women, including the 18-year-old, were removed from the premises and taken to a place of safety, where they are expected to receive further assistance and support.
Electronic equipment, including laptops, desktop computers and cellular telephones, was seized for further investigation.
The remaining 23 individuals were taken to various local police stations while investigators work to establish their immigration status and determine whether they were involved in the suspected criminal activities.
Mhlakuvana confirmed that no arrests had been made and that the investigation was continuing.
Eastern Cape Hawks Acting Provincial Head Brigadier Romeo Petrus acknowledged the role played by the National Human Trafficking Hotline and commended the joint law enforcement team for its swift response in rescuing the women.
