The SAPS rescued three young women from Botswana who fell victim to an alleged human trafficking scam on November 7.

According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk, the victims were reportedly lured via social media by a syndicate that falsely promised them lucrative job opportunities in Sierra Leone.

“The women were travelling from Botswana to Sierra Leone via South Africa and Nairobi when they were intercepted and rescued at OR Tambo International Airport.

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“The rescue operation was carried out by members of Interpol NCB Pretoria and the Germiston-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit,” she said.

A preliminary report indicates that the Botswana High Commission in Pretoria had alerted Interpol for assistance in tracing the missing women, leading to the successful rescue operation.