A London-based lesbian couple who went missing after being 'tricked' into flying to Dubai have been found.

Argentinian Maria Jimena Rico Montero and her Egyptian girlfriend Shaza Ismail were found in an Istanbul detention center yesterday afternoon (27 April).

Rafael Mendívil Peydro, the Spanish Ambassador to Ankara confirmed the couple were arrested in the Turkish city of Samsun for lack of documentation.

'It's been confusing. They disappeared for three days,' he said.

'But now they are safe and in Istanbul in a detention center for people who are going to be deported. They had to contact us because they do not have a passport.'