Lina Wang, Chung Fu Wang and Yuan Hang played key roles in the prostitution of vulnerable victims in places including Canterbury, Chatham, Dartford, Gillingham, Maidstone, and Tunbridge Wells
Three people have been sentenced to prison for coercing ‘vulnerable’ women into sex work across over 50 locations in the UK.
Lina Wang, Yuan Hang, and Chung Fu Wang were instrumental in the exploitation of susceptible victims in areas such as Canterbury, Chatham, Dartford, Gillingham, Maidstone, and Tunbridge Wells. Some of these women were illegally trafficked into the country and forced into prostitution to settle family debts.
One victim didn’t even know her location. Others were manipulated into engaging in unsafe sexual activities, including unprotected sex.
When Lina Wang’s property was searched, officers found bank statements showing she had around £430,000 in her possession.
Brothel arrest BWV
The brothels also caused significant disruption to local residents, who reported noise disturbances, criminal damage, and frequent visits to the properties at all hours.
Kent Police first got wind of the illicit operation in 2019 when two brothels were uncovered in Gillingham and Maidstone.
A complex investigation ensued, involving the analysis of mobile phone data to link specific numbers used for advertising to the culprits, which allowed officers to connect these establishments.
Lina Wang was apprehended at her Cambridge home in August 2021. She tried to conceal six mobile phones, but they fell to the floor from behind her back.
Lina Wang, 44, of Bartlow Road, Cambridge, was sentenced to five years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to control prostitution for gain and acquiring and possessing criminal property.
Chung Fu Wang, 41, of Blackborne Road, Dagenham, received a three-year, nine-month sentence for conspiracy to control prostitution for gain. Yuan Hang, 39, of no fixed address, was jailed for five years and eight months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to control prostitution for gain and possessing criminal property.
The sentencing took place on April 1 at Maidstone Crown Court, where Judge Branston expressed dismay at the lack of remorse or empathy displayed by the offenders. The judge highlighted how they used coercion, deceit, or took advantage of desperation to exploit their victims for “selfish, greedy reasons”.
Chung Fu Wang was arrested in London, surrounded by multiple mobile phones and possessing bank cards belonging to some of the sex workers under his control. Yuan Hang had been arrested earlier after surrendering to police at his London flat, where it was discovered that despite minimal employment history, he led a lavish lifestyle, driving expensive cars and frequenting high-end retailers.
Detective Constable Dameon Shaw, the investigating officer, stated: “This was a lengthy and complex investigation into a group of criminals responsible for untold misery towards a significant number of victims across the UK. Forcing vulnerable women to work in the sex industry is an appalling thing to do and these three offenders should be utterly ashamed of themselves.
“Unfortunately they have shown scant remorse or regret for their actions, which enabled them to live the high life whilst their victims suffered in silence.”