4 days ago
18 foreigners among 20 women arrested in prostitution crackdown
KUALA LUMPUR: Eighteen foreigners were among 20 women arrested when police raided two premises in Petaling Jaya and Subang Jaya suspected of involvement in prostitution activities on Thursday.
During the 6.30pm raids carried out by Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on a hotel and an apartment, the raiding team also arrested a 44-year-old man who acted as the minder for the women.
Bukit Aman CID acting director Datuk Fadil Marsus said the raids by the department's D7 Anti-Vice Division were conducted following a public tip-off on the activities at the two premises.
"The women arrested comprised two locals aged 26 and 37, eight Chinese nationals, three from Mongolia, three from Uzbekistan, and one each from Japan, Russia, Vietnam and Laos," he said.
He added that during the raids, police also seized 59 condoms, 21 bath towels, 21 mobile phones, 16 access cards and RM4,470 in cash, believed to be proceeds from prostitution activities.
Fadil said the prostitution syndicate's modus operandi was to advertise sexual services through websites featuring photos of women in provocative attire.
"These online listings also included the packages and prices for each service, which ranged between RM400 and RM1,000 per session, with payments made directly to the women.
"The syndicate operated from hotel rooms on different floors and also rented apartment units in an attempt to evade detection by the authorities," he said.
He said clients seeking services from the women would make bookings via phone numbers listed on the websites. Once arrangements were confirmed, they would be provided with the location and room number upon arrival.
A total of 16 foreign women have been remanded for 14 days under the Immigration Act until July 30, while two local women and one each from Laos and Vietnam have been remanded for one day.
The man has been remanded for three days.
The case is being investigated under Section 372B of the Penal Code, Section 55B and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations.
