Police officers rescue teenager forced into prostitution

Police officers have rescued a teenage girl who they say was brought to Dubai and forced to work as a sex slave.

They have also arrested three people suspected of bringing the 15-year-old to the UAE. The head of CID, Brigadier Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, said the leader of the gang was an Asian woman who used to lure girls to the Emirates with promises of decent jobs. Instead, she forced them into prostitution.

“The victim was only 15 years old and came from a poor family looking for better life,” he said. “The gang leader deceived her with money and promises.

“She changed the age of the victim to 22 and issued a passport for her to get a UAE visa.” The teenager came to the UAE in July and says she was taken to a flat and told she would be working as a prostitute. “She refused and was beaten and insulted by the woman and two men,” Al Mansouri said.

The Deputy Director of CID, Brigadier Salem Khalifa Al Rumaithy, said police officers began investigating the girl’s case after receiving a tip-off.

“We managed to speak with the girl in August while she was returning to the flat after a night with a customer,” he said. 

“She told us everything and we asked her to help us arrest the gang.” An undercover policeman then contacted the gang’s ringleader and asked for an appointment with the victim.

“Due to her age she was a good source of money for the gang. We set a trap for her to bring the girl to Deira,” Al Rumaithy added.

Police arrested the woman and she took them to the flat, where her two male assistants were also detained.

ali.shouk@7days.ae