Promised jobs, forced into scams: Three Peruvian women rescued in Gqeberha
The Hawks received through the National Human Trafficking Hotline regarding an alert from the Peruvian Government.
Three Peruvian women have been rescued from a lodge in Gqeberha, South Africa, after being allegedly forced into fraudulent recruitment, human trafficking, immigration-related offenses, and suspected cybercrime. The rescue operation was conducted by the South African Hawks, in collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs, on Sunday.
The women were informed about an online call center job opportunity, which turned out to be a scam, according to the Hawks. The women arrived at OR Tambo International Airport on October 2, 2026, and were transported to Gqeberha the following day. Upon arrival, they discovered the true nature of the premises. A multidisciplinary law enforcement operation was launched following information provided by the National Human Trafficking Hotline through the Peruvian Government.
The operation resulted in the rescue of 26 individuals, including 18-year-old Peruvian women and men from Peru, China, and South Africa. The remaining 23 individuals were taken to local police stations for further investigation. No arrests were made, and the investigation is ongoing. Acting Eastern Cape Hawks Provincial Head Brigadier Romeo Petrus praised the swift response of the joint law enforcement team and the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
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