KOCHI: A gang involving a female model, which lured young women to Dubai under the pretext of participating in a fashion workshop and handed them over to a sex racket, has trapped eight Malayali women. The victims were threatened and sexually exploited for multiple clients. The gang amassed lakhs of rupees through this racket. The Maradu police are currently investigating whether more women have fallen into the trap. The shocking details emerged after three individuals, including the model, were arrested.
The prime accused, Stoicy T. Moothath (alias Sindhu, 56), a native of Guruvayur Thaikkad currently residing at House No. 56/26, Kadavil Road, Thaithottam, Aluva, and the second accused, Aleena Abraham (23), a model residing at J.C. House, Ponguvila, Mannamcode, Kunnathukal, Thiruvananthapuram, were apprehended on Monday. Manjima (25), a resident of Pookkayil House, Biyyam, Ponnani, Malappuram, was arrested yesterday.
The victims were taken to a flat on Rolla Street in Al Raffa, Bur Dubai—a densely populated residential area housing many Malayalis—where they were exploited. They were rendered unconscious by mixing drugs into their drinks. Those who resisted were forcefully intoxicated, and the passports and mobile phones of several victims were confiscated.
The culprits filmed the assaults and used the footage to blackmail and continuously abuse the victims. Those who resisted were physically assaulted, and the gang threatened to send the explicit clips to their families. The racket was busted following a complaint lodged with the Maradu police by a model from Fort Kochi who managed to escape from their clutches. Two more women, including a beautician, have also filed complaints.
The Maradu police have left for Kerala with Sindhu, who was arrested at the Mumbai airport. Two other members of the gang based in Dubai have been identified. The police have registered a case against the accused charging them with fraud, wrongful confinement, causing hurt, and human trafficking. The investigation is being carried out under the leadership of City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar.
‘Cool Models Wanted’
It was Aleena who had posted a video on social media stating that ‘cool’ and trendy models were needed for a fashion workshop to be held in Dubai on January 25. The women were invited under the banner of an event management firm run by Sindhu’s son and daughter in Dubai. Sindhu was responsible for arranging the visiting visas. The victims were promised that those selected from the workshop would get an opportunity to participate in a major fashion show scheduled to take place in Dubai in February. The Kochi City Police stated that the accused, Sindhu and Aleena, are key links in an international sex trafficking racket.
(With inputs from MN)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com