Prosecutors accuse 31-year-old of deception, abuse, and exploitation under trafficking law
An Italian man is facing trial in Singapore after allegedly luring a Singaporean woman into sex work in Dubai under false promises of marriage and financial proof requirements. The case has drawn attention to human trafficking risks linked to online dating platforms.
Whirlwind Romance and Deception
According to court documents, Achraf Arjaouy, 31, met the woman on Tinder in April 2021 after arriving in Singapore a month earlier. Presenting himself as a pilot for Qatar Airways from a wealthy Qatari family, he promised marriage and convinced her to travel with him.
By May 2021, the pair had flown to Dubai, with Achraf insisting that she needed to show US$10,000 (S$12,800) in funds to enter Qatar. The woman, then 30, contacted her mother to transfer the money—but her mother went to the police instead.
Allegations of Abuse and Exploitation
Prosecutors allege that Achraf subjected the victim to “a campaign of physical and psychological torture”, including humiliation, threats of mutilation, and invasive sexual acts. He allegedly pressured her into sex work to raise the required funds.
Initially resistant, the woman eventually relented. Achraf is accused of arranging customers, creating online profiles, booking hotels, and collecting her earnings. She continued sex work until September 2021, when she contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and later returned to Singapore in November 2021.
The Prosecution’s Case
The prosecution argued that Achraf orchestrated the exploitation, profiting from her work while using coercion and manipulation. They presented text messages from 2022 in which the woman accused him of forcing her into sex work: “You made me sleep with people for money… I will not forgive you.”
The Prevention of Human Trafficking Act criminalizes recruiting a person by deception for sexual exploitation, with penalties of up to 10 years’ jail, a S$100,000 fine, and six strokes of the cane.
Achraf’s Defense
In court on August 22, 2025, Achraf denied knowing about the sex work, claiming he only cared for the woman “out of his heart.” He admitted to promising marriage “maybe one day” but alleged that she was “aggressive” and disregarded Dubai’s Sharia laws.
He further claimed he had no interest in her accusations and only sought her help to pay legal fees. When pressed on his source of income in Dubai, he said he received money from “other women.”
A Case With Broader Implications
The trial underscores how online dating apps can be exploited for trafficking schemes, blurring lines between romance scams and organized exploitation. It also highlights the legal system’s role in prosecuting foreign nationals accused of targeting Singaporean women abroad.
The case of Achraf Arjaouy has placed a spotlight on the vulnerabilities of cross-border relationships and the dangers of online deception. While the trial continues, it raises urgent questions about safeguarding Singaporeans from trafficking risks and ensuring justice for victims who are lured into exploitation under the guise of love and marriage.
Sources: AsiaOne (2025) , Must Share News (2025)
Keywords: Singapore Woman, Human Trafficking, Italian Man, Dubai Sex Work, Tinder Scam, Court Trial
