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Woman trafficked to Portugal on fake job promise, escapes, returns to India
The woman managed to escape from her captors and returned to India, following which the airport police registered a case on August 5 against eight persons
A 28-year-old woman from Nagpur has alleged that she was trafficked to Portugal under the pretext of a lucrative job and sold into prostitution after being lured with the promise of a monthly salary of ₹1.5 lakh. The incident occurred between December 2025 and May 2026.
The woman managed to escape from her captors and returned to India, following which the airport police registered a case on August 5 against eight persons.
The accused have been identified as Pratima Bhati and Amitkumar Zha from Hadapsar and Azarahr Sheikh, Kapil Mishra, Vamsi, Chaitnya, Himatsingh, and Anilkumar, all of whom are from Lisbon, Portugal.
In December 2025, according to the police, the victim was approached by agents from Pune who promised her employment at a supermarket in Portugal with a monthly salary of ₹1.5 lakh. Believing the offer to be genuine, she visited Pune and allegedly paid ₹11 lakh to Bhati, Sheikh, and Mishra. In March 2026, she completed all document-related formalities but did not get any offer letter.
In May 2026, she travelled overseas after completing the required formalities arranged by the accused.
However, after reaching Portugal, the woman alleged that instead of being taken to her promised workplace, she was handed over to another group of people. The accused allegedly sold her for commercial sexual exploitation. She was reportedly subjected to severe harassment and forced into prostitution against her will.
Police said the woman got in touch with her husband back home, who arranged her tickets and eventually managed to flee from the traffickers and returned to India.
Police said efforts are underway to trace the accused in India and coordinate with the concerned authorities regarding those based in Portugal.
