Oakland County prosecutors have charged a mother and son with running a human trafficking operation connected to two massage businesses in the Novi and Commerce areas. The case centers on allegations that the pair operated a criminal enterprise involving commercial sex acts, the movement of women between multiple properties, and the management of illicit operations from March 2025 through October 2026.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald announced that 54-year-old Minjie Wu and her 28-year-old son, Ruize Wu, are facing several felony charges. According to investigators, the defendants allegedly controlled the Novi Natural and Health Massage business as well as Commerce Massage. The operation reportedly spanned these commercial locations and two private homes in Novi, where women were transported for work.
During a press briefing, McDonald highlighted the visibility of the alleged crimes, noting that the businesses were located in a busy commercial area. She stated, “The illicit massage businesses are literally carrying out criminal enterprise right before your very eyes. Next to the ice cream shop and the dry cleaners.”
A local employee who works near the Novi location shared her perspective with 7 News Detroit. Speaking on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, she explained that she became suspicious shortly after starting her job nearby. She recalled thinking, “Within a few weeks, I was like, 'Hey, there’s something going on next door that’s not normal.' It didn’t take very long to figure out.”
The worker described the business hours as irregular and extensive. “Every day. Morning, noon, night, didn’t matter. They were always open,” she said. Her observations align with the investigation’s timeline, which suggests a continuous operation over more than a year.
Authorities executed a search warrant at the properties, where they discovered significant evidence. Items recovered by investigators included gold bars, jewelry, cash, and the passports of several workers. These findings support the prosecution's claim that the locations functioned as hubs for a coordinated trafficking ring.
Prosecutor McDonald emphasized that this case is part of a broader county-wide effort to target illicit massage businesses and human trafficking. She issued a warning to the public, stating that customers who pay for illegal sex acts are not immune from legal action. “The people going to these businesses and paying for sex acts, that is a crime, and they are not immune from prosecution,” McDonald said.
The allegations have caused concern among residents and frequent visitors to the shopping plaza. Momoe Yamakawa, a regular at the location, expressed her dismay at the proximity of the business to family-friendly spots. “We come in as a family. Kids come here all the time. There’s all sorts of spots for kids, so it’s just really disgusting,” she told reporters.
The nearby worker expressed relief after law enforcement intervened and the massage business closed its doors. “I was relieved because finally it was going to be done with. I am much more comfortable knowing it’s closed, and I was worried about the girls that worked there,” she said.
Both defendants appeared in court last week to answer the charges. They are scheduled to return to the courtroom on November 18 for the next phase of the legal proceedings.
