KUALA LUMPUR: A prostitution ring operating out of two locations in Petaling Jaya and Subang Jaya was busted with the arrests of 21 individuals, including women from Japan, Russia, and Uzbekistan following an operation by the police.
The operation, codenamed Ops Moda, was carried out by Bukit Aman CID Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7) at about 6.30pm on Thursday (July 17) following a tip-off from the public.
Bukit Aman CID acting director Deputy Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus said the raid targeted a hotel and a serviced apartment that were believed to be used as venues for the illicit activities.
"A 44-year-old local man, believed to be a pimp, was detained along with 20 women suspected of offering sexual services," he said when contacted on Saturday (July 19).
The women included two locals aged 26 and 37, eight from China, three each from Mongolia and Uzbekistan, and one each from Japan, Russia, Vietnam and Laos.
DCP Fadil said the syndicate was operating online, advertising services through websites featuring images of the women dressed provocatively.
"The websites listed various sex packages, with prices ranging between RM400 and RM1,000. Payments were made directly to the women," he said.
He added that the group used hotel rooms on separate floors and rented apartment units to avoid detection by the authorities.
"Customers would make bookings via phone numbers displayed on the websites and were only given the location and room numbers upon arrival," he said.
Various items were seized including 59 condoms, 21 towels, 21 mobile phones, 16 access cards and RM4,470 in cash believed to be earnings from the sex trade.
"A total of 16 foreign women were remanded for 14 days until July 30.
"Two local women and one each from Vietnam and Laos were remanded for a day, while the local male suspect was remanded for three days," DCP Fadil said.
The case is being investigated under Section 372B for soliciting, as well as Sections 55B and 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations.
