‘Upscale' brothel busted in downtown Bellevue

Money seized during the arrest.

BELLEVUE, Wash. — A 36-year-old Bellevue woman was arrested at an upscale brothel located in downtown Bellevue, police announced Tuesday.

Police said the brothel is located in the 300 block of 108th Ave NE.

Officers said they seized $5,100 in proceeds from prostitution from the woman during the arrest.

"The arrest came after detectives contacted another woman inside the brothel who claimed she was being forced to work there against her will," Bellevue police said in a news release.

According to police, the woman detectives contacted said she was in the United States on a temporary VISA and was looking for work through the social media site WeChat.

“After working for a short time, the woman says she tried to leave but wasn’t allowed to until she found her replacement,” Bellevue police said.

The woman told detectives she was forced to see as many as 10 customers per day -- bringing in up to $2,000.

Police are asking anyone who is the victim of human, sex or labor trafficking to contact Bellevue police at ViceHT@bellevuewa.gov.

“Call 911 if you are in immediate danger,” police said.

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