The Burmese national woman 'Yuanyuan' was lured to Taiwan by a social media ad and subsequently subjected to confinement by a transnational human trafficking ring. She was forced to serve clients as many as 11 times daily, which resulted in severe pelvic and genital infections. Seizing an opportunity late at night, she risked her life to escape and seek help, bravely exposing this brutal and exploitative criminal syndicate.
According to a report by Liberty Times on the 3rd, the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office recently concluded its investigation and has indicted the main suspect Zang Weilin, who is allegedly linked to the Bamboo Union gang, his wife Xie Jiayun, Ke Jiangtao, and 18 other suspects.
Police investigations found that in the early hours of a night in late August 2024, Yuanyuan, deeply trapped in the nightmare, could no longer endure the inhuman exploitation and torture. Taking advantage of lax vigilance late at night, trembling all over, she managed to flee the house. In panic, she waved down a passing patrol car near a convenience store on the street corner for help. Officers, noticing something unusual, quickly approached to offer assistance, thereby exposing the entire case.
Upon receiving the alert and rescuing Yuanyuan, the New Taipei City Special Task Force found that she was suffering from frequent high fevers and chills and immediately took her to the hospital emergency room for treatment. Diagnosis confirmed that the frequent and intensive sexual activity had led to severe infections in her pelvic and genital areas. During treatment, she was so traumatized that she was extremely fearful of interacting with male doctors, her body and mind having suffered greatly.
The New Taipei City Special Task Force joined with the police in forming a special team to investigate deeply. The syndicate had been spreading fake ads for 'high-paying jobs with air tickets included' across social platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to lure young women into coming to Taiwan. Upon arrival, the victims’ documents were confiscated by suspects Zang and Ke and others, and they were threatened that refusal to engage in prostitution would require them to immediately repay a massive debt of NT$450,000. Facing such an enormous and unpayable debt, the women had no choice but to comply with the gang’s demands.
These women were sent to several closely monitored rental apartments in Sanchong District, New Taipei City, where they served an average of 6 to 9 clients each day, and sometimes in double digits. All earnings were seized by the syndicate members.
In March of this year, the special team carried out a night raid, arresting main suspects Zang Weilin, Ke Jiangtao, and 18 others. The case has been prosecuted in accordance with the Human Trafficking Prevention Act, Offenses Against Morality laws, and the Organized Crime Prevention Act.
Prosecutors and police also rescued eight more female victims from the syndicate. All nine victims have now been provided with proper shelter, medical care, and legal assistance by the National Immigration Agency.