Sexual Exploitation of Adults
TOEX supported a force with intelligence development of alleged sexual exploitation of Chinese women in multiple UK towns and cities by members of an organised crime group (OCG). At the time, this criminal network was the highest scoring threat in that region.
The TOEX Response
The team facilitated the prompt translation and keyword searching of 21 phone downloads, involving millions of lines of data. TOEX Translate enabled the translation and bulk triage of this large-scale data source in a way that simply would not have been achievable via manual review.
This led to 12 phone downloads being highlighted as being of evidential value - identifying bank details and addresses of interest, plus messages revealing the facilitation of sexual services.
In addition, the team were able to identify large social media groups, that appeared to be acting as a marketplace ‘hub’ with adverts and responses - including services of women working in brothels; illegitimate visa/document services; and sales of property, tobacco, and food.
As a result of TOEX findings, the team assisted the force to liaise and escalate the threat to the National Crime Agency (NCA), who supported with further intelligence development.
The Detective Inspector leading the investigation said: “The support from TOEX was vital in ensuring the lines of investigation were progressed in a timely manner, maximising evidential and safeguarding opportunities. […].
“Without the support from TOEX the investigative team would have encountered significant challenges in reviewing the substantial amounts of material together with undertaking the subsequent translation and evidential product to be provided to the Crown Prosecution Service within a timely manner.”