BEIJING » An official newspaper in China says transnational crime gangs are trafficking a growing number of Chinese women to Southeast Asia, Europe and Africa where they are forced into prostitution.

The China Daily newspaper cites a senior police officer as saying most of the trafficked women are from poor rural areas and are cheated by criminal gangs into thinking they are leaving to pursue overseas studies or well-paying jobs.

The report said Monday most of China’s trafficking cases are still domestic, but more Chinese women are being taken out of the country. It says the official did not provide specific figures.

It says police rescued 15 women trafficked to Africa for prostitution in November.