Hong Kong’s foreign domestic workers are being coerced into drug smuggling and money laundering, often against their knowledge, by men pretending to be romantically interested in them, it has been revealed.
Members of crime syndicates, who usually pose as tourists or expats, are targeting the mainly Filipino and Indonesian women on social media and in person when they gather en masse in public places on their day off.
Sringatin, chairwoman of the Indonesian Mogratn Workers Union, told SCMP that criminals prey on the trusting nature of the women, with many being treated to meals and tricked into thinking the men are romantically interested in them.
They are then persuaded to open bank accounts or transport packages, which invariably enables drug trafficking or illegal money laundering.
Sringatin also explained that many women are targeted through social media, such as WhatsApp and Facebook, as the victims are unaware of the dangers of forming friendships online.
In December, a 29-year-old domestic helper was arrested at Hong Kong Airport after being found to have two kilos of cocaine concealed in shoes she was carrying.
Photo: Coconuts Media
