10-10-2023 (LIMA) Peruvian police successfully rescued 44 individuals who had fallen victim to a criminal organization from Taiwan, allegedly using them in an extortion scheme within Peru. The individuals were reportedly coerced into making calls to companies in Malaysia and Taiwan, posing as police or justice officials, and demanding money.
The head of the police’s people smuggling investigation unit, General Carlos Malaver, revealed that the victims were from Malaysia (43) and Taiwan (1). They were forced to work only at night and lived in extremely cramped conditions, with access to only one meal a day. The ordeal they faced included making false demands for money from unsuspecting companies in distant countries.
Authorities have arrested six Taiwanese and two Peruvians believed to be connected to this criminal organization. The operation, carried out in a suburb of Lima over the weekend, marked a significant victory against these human traffickers.
The Malaysian foreign ministry confirmed that all 43 Malaysian citizens had been successfully rescued. Embassy staff in Lima visited the victims, confirming that they were in good condition. The ministry stated that the victims had undergone an investigation process and would soon be repatriated to Malaysia.
The captives were initially lured to Peru in September with promises of employment in local casinos. However, upon their arrival, their passports were confiscated, and they were cut off from communication with their families by the Taiwanese criminal group known as Red Dragon.
The successful police operation was launched after two courageous women managed to escape from their captors and alert the authorities. During the operation, investigators seized more than US$10,000 (S$13,700), numerous cell phones, and bank cards from the location where the foreigners were being held.
Peru police rescue Malaysians, Taiwanese held by gang https://t.co/G4x8un9KWy pic.twitter.com/GNLh3WXpLA
— The Malaysian Insight (@msianinsight) October 9, 2023
