Jail for Gang Who Ran Brothels in Ealing and Acton
Golden Kiss escort empire exploited over 300 Polish women
The police executed search warrants at five addresses early in the morning. Picture: Met Police
A gang who ran a widespread network which forced women from Poland to work in brothels including ones in Ealing and Acton have been jailed following a ten week trial.
The organised crime group (OCG) which was behind the Golden Kiss escort operation is estimated to have trafficked and sexually exploited over 300 women from Poland into London and the south east of England.
Specialist Crime detectives identified over 300 potential female victims and safeguarded 134 after a 19-year-old victim managed to escape and alert police. ‘Bella’, had come to England after her mother died and spoke no English. She was promised work when she arrived but was met a Gravesend in Kent by two members of the OCG. She was made to work in one of the brothels and was forced to have sex day and night and given cocaine to stop her falling asleep. She was denied food by one of the gang members after refusing to have sex with a client. In sheer desperation and determination she managed to escape and alert police in April 2020.
Four men and one woman were sentenced on Friday, 27 May, at Isleworth Crown Court following a trial in March where they were convicted of conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view of exploitation and conspiracy to control prostitution for gain.
48-year-old Sebastian Zimoch from Romford was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment while his 45-year-old wife Anna received a suspended sentence. Gregaor Borowka, 44, of Yeading Avenue, Harrow who worked as a receptionist for the agency was sentenced to three years and nine months' imprisonment. Michael Lozinski, 53, of Berwick Avenue, Hayes was also convicted of controlling prostitution for gain and was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. 41-year-old Rafal Lacki of Felmongers, Harlow who worked as a driver was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment but was released due to time served.
Clockwise from top left: Sebastian Zimoch, Anna Zimoch, Rafal Lacki and Michael Lozinski. Picture: Met Police
She said after the trial verdict, “I hope my story will help keep young vulnerable woman and children safe. Modern slavery needs to be stop immediately. After today, I will be looking forward to the future.”
Detective Inspector Esther Richardson, who led the investigation, said, “This organised crime group may never have been identified if it weren’t for our brave and courageous victim, her evidence was crucial to our investigation. I give my heartfelt thanks to her, she enabled us to bring these offenders to justice.”
A small team of specialist officers worked for 12 months, piecing together what had happened to ensure all the OCG were identified. They operated throughout the pandemic, working late into the night when the demand in the sex industry was at its highest, to gather evidence.
In the early hours of Tuesday, 9 February 2021 officers executed five search warrants in Romford, Harrow, Hayes, Forest Gate and Harlow in Essex. The gang members were arrested at their home addresses, along with Lozinski whose home operated as a brothel.
The ‘business’ based around an escort website called Golden Kiss began in 2015 and the OCG was run by the husband and wife team, Sebastian and Anna Zimoch. They recruited women, employed a number of drivers and a receptionist. The operation generated in excess of £500,000 with two brothels in the Docklands and north west London.
Lozinski ran five brothels in west London including those in Ealing and Acton branching out on his own to maximise his illegal profits and splitting altogether from the Zimoch’s in 2020.
Lacki was one of the main drivers for the OCG along with Borowka, who also worked as a receptionist for Golden Kiss escort services. Both Borowka and Lacki were trusted members of the OCG.
During this time, one women aged 19 was sexually exploited and trafficked to clients addresses in the West End. On one occasion the victim was taken on a call out to Arab clients, around £3,000 was exchanged for her services for a whole night, with the victim being paid around two hundred pounds.
DI Esther Richardson, went on to say, “My team have worked tirelessly to uncover the true scale of this illegal operation and track down and safeguard hundreds of other women across London who were being exploited by this OCG.
“Unfortunately, this type of exploitation is still happening across London and the UK. The Met’s modern slavery team works around the clock to identify people involved in human trafficking and forced labour, and we play a role in protecting and supporting hundreds of victims each year.
"We need help from the public as they have an important role to play in recognising and reporting modern slavery. If you suspect someone may be a victim of modern slavery, report it. You will always be taken seriously and protection and support is available.
"Often those affected do not see themselves as potential victims of sexual exploitation and many will have been coerced into this life to make money for an organised crime network. Victims are often told the police and authorities in the UK are not to be trusted and with limited English are unable to seek help, even if they want to.
"We believe there are victims of modern slavery in every borough across London and the public may encounter them every day, possibly without realising. As well as being sexually exploited, victims have been found working in construction, domestic servitude, agriculture, cannabis factories and in places you use yourself, such as car washes, barbers and nail bars.”
If you suspect that you, or someone you have come into contact with, may be a victim of modern slavery or trafficking and require support, please call The Salvation Army’s 24 hour confidential referral helpline on 0800 808 3733. This is the best way to get support to anyone you suspect might be a victim
You can also report a suspicion or seek advice through the Modern Slavery Helpline confidentially on 08000 121 700. This is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
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May 31, 2022