Two girls aged 20 from the districts of Florești and Sângerei were arrested on suspicion that they trafficked children and persons for sexual exploitation. In 2021, they forced a minor girl aged 16 and a man aged 19 to provide sexual services for money, IPN reports.

The General Police Inspectorate said the girls profited from the vulnerable situation of the minor who was raised by her grandmother and of the young man who was brought up in an orphanage and housed them in an apartment in Chisinau. The two were later told to pay rental, for food and for utilities, being forced to repay the debts by providing sexual services for money.

The clients were identified through an announcement website and paid 500 to 1,500 lei for the services. The money was collected by the procurers.

The suspects were remanded in custody for 30 days, while the victims were placed in a specialized assistance center. One of the victims tested positive for HIV.

The girls face 15 to 20 years behind bars for trafficking in children and persons.