The Slovak police, in cooperation with Ukrainian and Polish law enforcement, uncovered a human trafficking scheme and detained four suspects in Warsaw. The victim was a 23-year-old citizen of Slovakia (Slovakia), who was lured to Ukraine under the pretext of employment, forcibly held in a fraudulent call center, and threatened with physical violence.
From job promises to torture and confiscation of documents
According to the Presidium of the Slovak Police Corps, the woman responded to an attractive job vacancy but fell into a trap after arriving in Ukraine. At the workplace, she experienced systematic psychological pressure, threats of violence, and was brutally beaten at least once. Her freedom of movement was completely restricted.
Crime reports were received on September 13, 2026, at the police station in Vranov nad Topľou. Due to the seriousness of the case, it was immediately transferred to the unit for combating illegal migration (ÚBOK). Slovak investigators, together with colleagues from Prešov, the police attaché in Ukraine, and Ukrainian law enforcement, began searching for the victim to save her life.
Night escape across the border and detention in Warsaw
It was later found that the 23-year-old woman “did not meet the requirements” of the underground call center managers. Because of this, the criminals decided to take her out along with another citizen of Slovakia (Slovakia).
On the night of September 18 to 19, four people—two Ukrainian citizens and two Slovak citizens (Slovakia)—walked the victims across the Ukrainian-Polish border, then transported them by car to Warsaw. During transportation, the woman’s documents were taken away, and she was constantly threatened with physical elimination.
The Slovak police promptly passed the coordinates and data to their Polish colleagues. A special police operation took place in Warsaw: the police detained all four suspects, and the woman was given necessary medical assistance. The Warsaw court has already placed all detainees in custody on charges of illegal deprivation of liberty. The case is currently being investigated under the article “human trafficking.”
Police warn: how not to fall into the trap of “employers”
Law enforcement appeals to citizens to be extremely cautious when looking for work abroad, especially in the call center sector.
Main “red flags” of dangerous vacancies:
Unreasonably high salary with minimal requirements for the candidate;
Unclear or vague description of future job duties;
Requirement for urgent departure without signing an official employment contract;
Free transfer and accommodation from unverified persons;
Demand to hand over passports or other personal documents (remember: handing over documents to third parties is strictly prohibited).
Investigators urge always to check the employer before departure, share trip details and location with relatives, and refuse the trip at the slightest suspicion.
