Police in Lai Chau Province, northern Vietnam on Friday announced the arrest of Lo Thi Kem, a 38-year-old woman from Than Uyen District, for trafficking women and minors under 16.

Kem, who previously worked as a sex worker in Myanmar in 2021 under the control of a foreign boss, was recruited to lure Vietnamese women and girls to Myanmar with false promises of well-paying factory jobs. 

She targeted women from impoverished rural communities, exploiting the victims' financial struggles.

Upon arrival in Myanmar, the victims were forced into prostitution, serving 5–10 clients daily while being monitored by criminal groups. 

All earnings were confiscated by brothel operators. 

Between March and October 2023, Kem trafficked seven Vietnamese women to Myanmar, receiving payments of 2,000–3,000 Chinese yuan (US$270-410) per person from her employer.

Local authorities uncovered the scheme after gathering intelligence and encouraging the victims’ families to come forward. 

The victims were gradually rescued and repatriated, filing formal complaints against Kem.

Kem was arrested upon re-entering Vietnam at the Tay Trang border gate in Dien Bien Province, northern Vietnam. 

Initially denying her crimes, she eventually confessed during police interrogation.

Lai Chau police are expanding their investigation to dismantle the trafficking network and press charges against all individuals involved.

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