PETALING JAYA: Police have busted a child sexual exploitation and prostitution ring following a special operation conducted in Selangor from Sept 24 to 26.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Comm Datuk M. Kumar said Op Angel, carried out with Selangor police, targeted members of a group known as the "Yunaa Gang".
He said the 10-member group, led by a local man in his 30s, had been active since early 2024 and was linked to 17 cases involving prostitution and the trafficking of children for sexual exploitation.
“Police successfully arrested seven suspects aged 18 to 44. All those arrested are being detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) until Oct 23.
"Another two members of the group are currently being held at Kajang Prison and Henry Gurney School in Melaka in connection with child trafficking and prostitution offences," he added.
Police also seized 33 boxes of condoms and 14 mobile phones during the operation.
“Checks revealed that several of those arrested had previous criminal records involving prostitution, human trafficking, drug trafficking and fraud.
“The police have also identified another member of the group who remains at large, and efforts to track down the suspect are ongoing,” Comm Kumar said.
Investigations showed that the group recruited local teenagers, foreign nationals and underage children before allegedly exploiting and forcing them into prostitution in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
“The activities are deeply concerning as they involve not only human trafficking for financial gain but also the exploitation of children, who should be protected from abuse and sexual exploitation,” he said.
According to Comm Kumar, the group promoted prostitution services through a Telegram channel called "KLSELANGORFL", offering an estimated 20 to 30 sex workers daily.
“Customers were charged between RM200 and RM350, depending on the package and location of the services offered.
“Payments were believed to have been made in cash, through Touch ’n Go or via bank QR to prostitution agents linked to the group,” he said.
Investigations showed that the group serviced around 100 customers daily, collecting around RM150 from each customer before paying the remainder to the sex workers.
“Based on these estimates, the group could generate RM15,000 daily or RM450,000 monthly, equivalent to RM5.4mil annually, if the activities continued at the same rate,” Comm Kumar said.
More concerningly, he said sexual exploitation could leave underage victims with lasting psychological trauma, damaging their emotional, moral and social development and jeopardising their future.
“The Yunaa gang’s activities constitute more than prostitution offences; they represent serious sexual exploitation of vulnerable individuals, particularly children, for substantial financial gain.
“If left unchecked, such activities could threaten public safety, public health, social well-being and the future of the country’s younger generation,” he added.
Following the arrest of the syndicate members, a total of 17 cases have been solved.
Charges against the nine alleged gang members are set to be brought at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court on Oct 23.
“The police remain committed to taking continuous action against any individuals or groups involved in organised criminal activities to ensure the continued safety and well-being of Malaysian society,” Comm Kumar said.
