Six women have been rescued from a north London modern slavery ring after being lured from Romania by fake boyfriends.
Human traffickers used the “loverboy” tactic to act as a boyfriend before controlling them and forcing them into sex work in the capital.
Met officers in partnership with Europol, Eurojust, and Romanian Police arrested a 24-year-old man for being wanted on a UK court warrant in a dawn raid on Friday.
It came as Scotland Yard simultaneously executed 12 warrants with authorities in Romania and three in Colindale, north London.
Five people have been detained for questioning around the city of Iasi in North Eastern Romania for human trafficking offences.
The six women are now being supported by specialist officers and the charity Justice and Care.
DI Melanie Lillywhite, from the Met’s modern slavery unit, said the raid has “significantly disrupted the organised criminal network”.
She said: “Unfortunately, this type of exploitation is still happening across London and the UK. The Met’s modern slavery team works around the clock to identify people involved in human trafficking and forced labour, and we play a role in protecting and supporting hundreds of victims each year.”
DI Lillywhite believes that victims of modern slavery can be found in “every single London borough” and urged the public to report any suspected victims to her elite unit.
She added: “Often those affected do not see themselves as potential victims of sexual exploitation and many will have been coerced into this life to make money for an organised crime network. Victims are often told the police and authorities in the UK are not to be trusted and with limited English are unable to seek help, even if they want to.
“As well as being sexually exploited, victims have been found working in construction, domestic servitude, agriculture, cannabis factories and in places you use yourself, such as car washes, barbers and nail bars.”
If you suspect that you, or someone you have come into contact with, may be a victim of modern slavery or trafficking and require support, please call The Salvation Army’s 24 hour confidential referral helpline on 0800 808 3733. This is the best way to get support to anyone you suspect might be a victim.
You can also report a suspicion or seek advice through the Modern Slavery Helpline confidentially on 08000 121 700. This is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
