Woman rescued after being lured to Southeast Asia by ‘free trip’ scam

A local woman was rescued by local authorities in Southeast Asia after allegedly being lured there by scammers with an offer of a free overseas trip and then held against her will, the Judiciary Police (PJ) said.

The woman met the alleged scammer on Douyin in early September. Police said the suspect had used a “tall, rich and handsome” persona on social media to target potential victims.

The suspect allegedly invited the woman to attend a party in Southeast Asia, offering free accommodation, meals and travel expenses. She left Macau via Guangzhou airport on Sept. 12 to travel to the region.

Her family lost contact with her the following day and reported the case to police. Following coordination among several agencies, including the Macau branch of the China National Central Bureau of Interpol, anti-fraud authorities under China’s Ministry of Public Security and a cross-border anti-fraud cooperation platform, local police rescued the woman on Sept. 13.

She returned to Macau last Saturday, Sept. 19.

The PJ urged residents to remain alert to scams involving invitations to travel overseas, particularly those made by people they have never met in person.

Police said similar schemes in recent years have included offers of high-paying jobs overseas, invitations to participate in criminal activities linked to fraud and scams involving people impersonating law enforcement or judicial authorities to lure victims abroad.

Authorities urged residents not to trust unverified claims made by strangers online or accept offers based solely on promises of financial benefits.

Police also warned residents against taking risks for financial gain, saying such schemes can place victims’ personal safety at serious risk.

The case comes as authorities continue to warn about cross-border fraud schemes that use social media and online relationships to recruit or lure victims overseas.