A couple, Hoang and Doan, trafficked teens from Vietnam to work in a nail salon. They later abandoned one of the teens in London.
Hoang, 29, and Doan, 38, are from Frodsham. They trafficked two teens from Vietnam. Police investigated this crime.
The teens were 16 and 14 years old. They arrived in the UK on June 27, 2023. Doan was on the same flight, having travelled to Vietnam earlier. Papers said it was an educational trip meant to be a two-week visit with plans to go to Oxford.
The teens went to Oxford with other students. Doan returned to Frodsham. Soon, the teens got mobile phones and called Doan’s number often.
Doan went to London on June 29. The teens also went to London. Doan left London that same day around 5pm. Officials believe he picked up both teens and likely took them back to Frodsham.
An agent visited Hoang and Doan’s rental in Frodsham on September 29. The agent saw the 14-year-old girl.
On December 12, police visited a nail bar on Church Street in Frodsham. They did a staff welfare check and found Hoang operating the business.
The missing 16-year-old boy was also there. Hoang claimed she did not know him, saying he just walked in. Police arrested her under the Modern Slavery Act, and the boy was placed under protection.
Doan was present but not arrested and acted like a worker, hiding his link to Hoang. On January 14, Doan contacted the 14-year-old.
They traveled to London, and Doan returned alone, trying to hide her existence. The girl asked police for help the next day, saying she had been homeless for months. The investigation linked her to Doan.
Police arrested and charged Doan, and Hoang was also charged. A third person was charged too, but these charges were later dropped. In court, Hoang got 27 months, and Doan received 54 months.
An officer said Hoang and Doan exploited the teens. They thought they were coming for a better life, but instead, they were used for money.
Police said Hoang and Doan tried to cover up, denying knowing the boy and taking the girl to London. Partnering with others, police gathered evidence, and the pair pleaded guilty.
The officer wants the community to report suspects. Together, people can protect vulnerable victims and help punish the criminals.
