Thailand trafficking network: Hawks arrest duo for recruiting victims in SA and promising them work

TWO suspects have been arrested in Cape Town for allegedly recruiting individuals into an international trafficking ring, following a long-term investigation by the Hawks.

The arrests stem from a long-term investigation by the Hawks after four victims were rescued in May 2025, after they were recruited and promised a work opportunity to work in a call centre in Thailand. 

The two suspects who allegedly recruited individuals for an international trafficking ring are expected to appear in the Bellville Magistrate’s Court in Cape Town on Monday. 

The suspects, aged 44 and 51, from Kraaifontein, were arrested on Friday, February 20, and face charges of trafficking in persons. 

The provincial spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks), Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani, said the duo was arrested by the Western Cape Economic Protected Resources team.

“After their applications were successful, upon their arrival in Thailand, they did not stay in Thailand as promised; instead, they were taken to Cambodia. On arrival in Cambodia, their passports were taken away by the traffickers. Their freedom of movement was impeded,” Hani said. 

The victims were then forced to work in a call centre in Cambodia in a scam to extort people. 

“The victims were employed in a call centre where they were instructed to make calls to certain targeted individuals under the pretence that cases were opened against them, and they must pay a particular amount to avoid arrest. They were forced to work very long hours. “They were never paid for the work done. They then launched a protest demanding their money. Only three passports were handed back, and the fourth passport holder could not get her passport,” Hani said. 

Through interventions by the victims’ families and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) the victims were able to come back home to South Africa. 

Hani said the investigation led to warrants of arrest being issued against the two suspects. 

Once the warrants were signed off, the suspects were arrested immediately. 

The head of the Hawks in the Western Cape, Major General MS Makgato, applauded the investigating team for a job well done. 

Makgato also gave a stern warning to the public, stating traffickers often use social media and online platforms to target vulnerable individuals by promising legitimate job opportunities or a better life. Makgato said the lies told to individuals are only so that traffickers can confiscate documents and force victims into various forms of exploitation. 

The Hawks have urged any victims to come forward and report it to the authorities, as it works alongside government departments to dismantle trafficking networks and bring perpetrators to justice. 

POST