TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Two university students returned safely to Taiwan on Saturday evening after being held and forced to work at a scam center in Cambodia.

The two friends, both students in Taichung, were lured into traveling to Hong Kong to apply for what they believed was a lucrative short-term job. From there, they were taken to Cambodia and confined in a compound run by a fraud ring, according to UDN.

The women were reportedly forced to work 12 to 15 hours a day while under surveillance. After their two-month visas expired, the organization demanded a ransom for their release.

One victim’s grandfather, surnamed Li (李), reportedly raised NT$136,000 to help secure her release, per UDN.

Family members became suspicious in May after losing contact with the pair. When the women were finally able to reach out in late May, the families alerted police in Taiwan.

With assistance from Ministry of Foreign Affairs offices in the region, the women were able to reach Phnom Penh International Airport and board a flight back to Taiwan on Saturday.

Taichung police are investigating whether anyone in Taiwan was involved in the trafficking scheme.