Taoyuan, Taiwan (September 17, 2025)— A Vietnamese female migrant worker, identified only as “Ahui,” was rescued after being abducted and held captive by fellow countrymen who attempted to coerce her into prostitution to repay debts.
According to the Taoyuan District Prosecutor’s Office, the incident occurred in October last year when Ahui, a missing migrant worker, was working at a betel nut stall in Dayuan District, Taoyuan City. On October 13, three Vietnamese men—identified as Ruan, Ding, and a man nicknamed “Aqing”—approached her. Ding reportedly threatened her at knifepoint, warning, “If you don’t get in the car, you will be stabbed.” The men seized her mobile phone and SIM card before forcing her into the vehicle.
The suspects later switched cars in Taichung City and, with the help of another accomplice, Liu, transported Ahui to a tin house KTV in Shengang Township, Changhua County. There, she was detained under constant watch by Liu, Chen, and others. During her captivity, Ruan allegedly slapped her after an attempted escape and ordered her to prepare a price list for sexual services, insisting that she “must sell her body to pay her debt.”
While some bystanders had witnessed the abduction and alerted police, Ruan tried to cover up the crime by arranging a video call between Ahui and Dayuan Police, falsely claiming she was safe. Despite this, police continued their investigation.
On October 16, Ahui managed to take advantage of her guard’s drug-induced drowsiness, obtained a phone, and contacted a friend who rushed to the location and helped her escape.
Following the rescue, police tracked down and arrested four suspects—Ruan, Ding, Liu, and Chen—while “Aqing” remains at large. Authorities charged the arrested men with violating Taiwan’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and unlawful deprivation of freedom.
The case highlights the dangers faced by undocumented migrant workers, who are often vulnerable to exploitation due to their legal and financial circumstances.
