Spanish police arrest 5 in operation against sex-slave group

The Spanish National Police on Monday detained five people who are thought to be involved in a network which was involved in persuading women to travel to Spain from Romania and then forcing them to work as prostitutes.

Four people were arrested in Valencia and another in Lleida after being linked with the exploitation the women, who were forced to work either on the streets or in clubs in the provinces of Murcia, Valencia, Castellon, Alicante and Albacete, all of which are either in the east or southeast of Spain.

The police confirmed the operation began when they received a call from a Romanian woman who told them she had been brought to Spain by a criminal organization after accepting an apparently legal job offer.

As well as making five arrests, police also freed seven women, who are also thought to have been exploited by the network.

Those detained have been charged with various offenses, ranging from offenses against the correct treatment of persons, forcing people to work in prostitution, threats and of belonging to a criminal organization.

As well as false promises of jobs which don't exist, another method these groups use is known as the "lover boy", in which a young and attractive gang member gains the confidence and affection of the victim before persuading them to accompany in the country they will then be forced to work as a prostitute.