JOHOR BARU: Police here have rescued 13 women who had been duped into the flesh trade following promises of jobs in Johor as maids or factory workers.
State police chief Comm M. Kumar said that the women, aged between 22 and 49, were rescued in raids at five different locations in Johor Baru and Kulai from April 21 to April 28.
He said six suspects aged between 24 and 50 were detained; a local man and woman as well as two foreign men and two foreign women.
All suspects have been charged at the Johor Baru Magistrate's Court on Tuesday (May 14, 2024), under Section 12 of the Anti- Trafficking in Persons and the Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, Passport Act 1966 and Immigration Act 1959/63.
On the syndicate crippled in the raids, Comm Kumar said that it has been operating since last year and would target unsuspecting victims in the home country.
"The local agent there will approach the victims and promise to find jobs for them in Malaysia," he said at a press conference at the Johor Police Contingent headquarters here on Tuesday (May 14).
Comm Kumar said the victims would be given flight tickets to Kuala Lumpur and RM3,000 in pocket money to pose as tourists.
He said the syndicate leader is a local man who would wait for their arrival at the KL International Airport before bringing them to a transit home in Johor.
"The syndicate will take back the RM3,000 money given to them earlier," added Comm Kumar.
He said the victims were forced to become prostitutes serving foreign workers with rates ranging between RM100 and RM200 for an hour or RM300 for overnight services.
"None of the women received a single sen as the ill-gotten money will be kept by the syndicate members," said Comm Kumar.
He added that the syndicate only offered sex services at rented premises to foreign workers and strictly by appointment only or upon recommendation by regular customers.
