Malaysia and Singapore police arrest 30 suspects in a cross-border prostitution syndicate allegedly operating online from Kuala Lumpur and Johor since 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: Thirty people, including a Malaysian, have been arrested in an operation targeting a cross-border prostitution syndicate believed to have used websites to promote prostitution services to customers in Singapore.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M. Kumar said the joint operation, codenamed ‘Op Noda-Rentas Sempadan’, was conducted yesterday with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) at several residential premises in Kuala Lumpur and Johor.
He said nine suspects, comprising a Malaysian and eight foreigners aged between 29 and 56, were arrested in raids conducted by Bukit Aman CID and the Johor police contingent.
The eight foreigners comprised seven Chinese nationals and a Singaporean. Preliminary investigations found that all nine were believed to be syndicate members wanted by the SPF.
One Singaporean and four Chinese nationals among them were also found to have overstayed in Malaysia.
Kumar said the nine suspects would be handed over to Singapore authorities through Bukit Aman CID’s D12 Division (NCB/Interpol) after their identities were verified before a magistrate under Section 5(3) of the Summons and Warrants (Special Provisions) Act 1971.
In the same operation, police arrested another 21 foreigners, comprising five men and 16 women aged between 19 and 41, suspected of promoting and managing online prostitution services.
They comprised 17 Chinese nationals, three Vietnamese nationals and one Laotian. Police also seized electronic devices believed to have been used in the activities.
He said the syndicate was believed to have been operating in Singapore since 2024, using Malaysia as its base to manage two websites offering prostitution services in the republic.
Malaysia was believed to have been used as an operational hub to evade enforcement action by local authorities, he added.
“The success of this operation demonstrates the effectiveness of strategic cooperation between the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the SPF through intelligence-sharing in combating cross-border prostitution syndicates,” he said.