JOHOR BARU: Police have rescued five children, including two babies, who are believed to have been abused to produce photos and videos for a paedophile syndicate.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the children, aged between two months and five years, were believed to have been sold to the syndicate through social media.
"The syndicate’s modus operandi was to offer pregnant mothers between RM1,500 and RM3,500 to give their children up for adoption," he told a press conference at Johor police headquarters here on Friday (Aug 29).
"They would also cover the mothers’ medical fees before taking them to the National Registration Department to obtain a valid birth certificate.
"The children were then sexually abused and used to produce videos and photos that were uploaded to the dark web and a Telegram group with subscribers from around the world," he added.
Comm Kumar said the syndicate was crippled after a month-long operation following the arrest of a 29-year-old technician in Johor Baru.
"We found dozens of child sexual abuse videos and photos on a phone seized from the suspect.
"An operation was then carried out in Johor Baru, Selangor and Penang between July 19 and Aug 19, leading to the arrest of 10 others.
"The suspects include two locals and eight foreigners, aged between 25 and 60, with some of the foreign suspects believed to have acted as caretakers of the children," he said.
He added that the operation, codenamed Ops Pedo, was led by a special team from the police and an international agency.
Comm Kumar said further investigation revealed that three other children, aged between five and seven, were also sexually abused by the syndicate.
"They targeted children left alone in their neighbourhoods.
"Upon identifying their targets, they would commit abuse on the children and record the acts," he said.
