KUALA LUMPUR: Police have busted a prostitution syndicate using Malaysia as a base to run online sex services for Singaporean customers, arresting 30 people in raids in Kuala Lumpur and Johor.
The syndicate, which is believed to have been active in Singapore since 2024, used two websites to promote prostitution services. It also allegedly used Malaysia as an operational hub to evade and complicate enforcement action by Singapore authorities.
Federal police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M Kumar said the syndicate's activities were uncovered following Op Noda-Rentas Sempadan, conducted jointly with the Singapore Police Force (SPF) yesterday.
"Simultaneous raids at several residential premises in Kuala Lumpur and Johor led to the arrest of 30 people, including a local man. The operation also focused on individuals listed as wanted by the SPF.
"Raiding teams from federal police CID and the Johor police contingent headquarters CID arrested a local man and eight foreigners, comprising five men and four women aged between 29 and 56," he said in a statement today.
Preliminary checks of the seized identification documents found that the eight foreigners comprised seven Chinese nationals and a Singaporean.
"Initial investigations found that all nine individuals are believed to be members of the same prostitution syndicate and are wanted by the SPF under Section 146A(1)(b) of the Women's Charter 1961 and Section 109 of the Singapore Penal Code," he said.
Checks also found that a Singaporean and four Chinese nationals among those arrested had overstayed in Malaysia.
All nine individuals will be handed over to the SPF through federal police CID's D12 Division (NCB/Interpol) after their identities are verified before a magistrate.
The process is being carried out under Section 5(3) of the Summons and Warrants (Special Provisions) Act 1971.
In the same operation, police also arrested 21 foreigners believed to be involved in promoting and managing prostitution services online.
They comprised five men and 16 women aged between 19 and 41, including 17 Chinese nationals, three Vietnamese nationals and one Laotian.
Various electronic devices believed to have been used in the activities were also seized to assist investigations.
The 21 foreigners arrested are being remanded under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code to assist investigations under Section 372(1)(e) of the Penal Code for exploiting individuals for the purpose of prostitution through advertisements, as well as Sections 6(1)(c) and 15(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for unlawful entry, lack of valid passes, and overstaying.
ENDS
kw NST, news, Malaysia, Singapore, prostitution syndicate, online sex services, cross-border crime, police raids, 30 arrested, Op Noda-Rentas Sempadan, human trafficking
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