Human trafficking gang who held maid captive lose jail appeal bid

Men forced Indonesian mother into prostitution after luring her to Dubai with fake job offer

A human trafficking gang who held a housemaid captive before forcing her into prostitution have lost an appeal against their jail terms.

The Bangladeshi men, aged 25, 28, 31 and 36, were each hand five-year prison sentences after being convicted of a string of charges, including facilitating prostitution, running a brothel and human trafficking.

The 36-year-old man was also found guilty of sexual assault.

Dubai Criminal Court heard that the Indonesian victim had grown unhappy with her job as a domestic helper in Abu Dhabi and was lured to Dubai by the offer of part-time work.

One of the men picked up the woman, 41, and took her to a flat in Al Muraqqabat, Dubai, in January of last year, only to keep her prisoner in the property for two days before making her work as a prostitute for two weeks.

It was only when the partners in crime offered her sale that police became aware of the crime.

Officers went undercover as 'buyers', setting up a meet with the gang by offering Dh5,500 for the stricken woman.

The four men were arrested, with the mother-of-three referred to Dubai Foundation for Women and Children for support.

The suspects admitted during questioning that they worked with another woman - whose nationality and age were not disclosed in records - to lure women into prostitution.

The court ordered the apartment be shut down confiscated the men’s car. They will be deported after serving their terms and must pay a total fine of Dh100,000.