The Judiciary Police (PJ) announced yesterday details about a young local woman who was lured to Southeast Asia by a “free trip” offer before being held against her will by a criminal organisation, PJ spokesman Cheong Kim Fong said during a special press conference.
According to Cheong, the woman met a man on the Chinese mainland’s online video platform ‘Douyin’ earlier this month who presented himself as a wealthy and attractive young man. He invited her to attend a party overseas, offering to cover her accommodation, meals, and travel expenses.
She left Macau via Guangzhou Airport for Southeast Asia on September 12. Her father lost contact with her the following day and reported the matter to the Judiciary Police on September 13.
Cheong said the investigation discovered that after arriving in Southeast Asia, she followed instructions to travel to a designated location, where she was subsequently held against her will. A gang member threatened to send her to a scam centre.
Cheong declined to disclose the victim’s age, personal details, or the location where the crime took place.
The Judiciary Police coordinated its investigation with the Macau Interpol Sub-Bureau, the National Anti-Fraud Centre, and the FRONTIER+ cross-border anti-fraud platform. With assistance from local police, the woman was rescued on September 13. She was not injured in the rescue operation, Cheong underlined.
Cheong said the victim returned safely to Macau on Saturday, adding that several details of the case were still under investigation and, consequently, could not be disclosed.
The Judiciary Police urged residents to remain vigilant when communicating with strangers online and not to be lured by offers of “free overseas trips” or high-paying jobs abroad.
Cheong noted that similar cases have involved victims being recruited for overseas jobs, lured abroad to participate in fraudulent activities, or deceived by people posing as law-enforcement officers. Once controlled by a criminal organisation, a person’s physical safety is threatened, and they may be forced to participate in fraudulent activities, Cheong added.
Suspected cases of fraud should be reported immediately to the Judiciary Police’s Anti-Fraud Enquiry hotline on 8800 7777 or the crime reporting hotline on 993 for assistance.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Cheong Kim Fong looks on during yesterday’s special press conference at the PJ headquarters in Zape. – Photo: Sherwin Hng
