A multi-agency raid targeting suspected prostitution syndicates in the Klang Valley has led to the arrest of 20 women — 18 of whom are foreign nationals — along with one local male suspected of managing the illegal operation.
The coordinated busts were carried out by Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at 6.30pm on Thursday, following a public tip-off. Police stormed a hotel and a serviced apartment in Petaling Jaya and Subang Jaya believed to be hotspots for illicit activities.
Bukit Aman CID acting director Datuk Fadil Marsus revealed that the women arrested included eight Chinese nationals, three Mongolians, three from Uzbekistan, and one each from Japan, Russia, Vietnam, and Laos. Two Malaysian women, aged 26 and 37, were also among those detained.
Online Vice Syndicate Used Hotel Rooms, Apartments to Evade Detection
According to police, the syndicate used online platforms to advertise sex services, complete with photos of scantily clad women, session packages, and rates ranging from RM400 to RM1,000. Customers would place bookings through mobile numbers listed on these websites and were only provided room details upon confirmation.
The syndicate’s strategy of operating out of multiple floors within hotels and rented apartment units was a calculated move to avoid raising suspicion or being detected in traditional vice crackdowns.
During the raids, authorities seized 59 condoms, 21 bath towels, 21 mobile phones, 16 access cards, and RM4,470 in cash — believed to be proceeds from sex work.
The man detained, aged 44, is believed to have acted as the caretaker or minder for the women, coordinating logistics and access to the premises.
Immigration Violations and Criminal Charges in the Works
The arrests have resulted in a slew of immigration and criminal charges. Sixteen foreign women were remanded for 14 days under the Immigration Act, pending investigations into visa violations and illegal employment. Meanwhile, two Malaysian women and one woman each from Laos and Vietnam have been remanded for a day, while the local man will be held for three days.
The case is currently being probed under:
- Section 372B of the Penal Code (soliciting for prostitution)
- Section 55B and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (for employing and harbouring undocumented foreigners)
- Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations
Public Safety and Digital Exploitation: Authorities Urged to Act Swiftly
This latest sting operation highlights the growing use of digital platforms for illegal vice activities, a concern raised by community groups and enforcement agencies alike. With platforms making it easier to discreetly advertise and book services, law enforcement is now being pushed to monitor online activity more proactively.
Bukit Aman has reiterated its commitment to clamping down on human trafficking and organised vice operations, calling for greater cooperation from the public to report suspicious activities.