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A HUMAN trafficking syndicate operating from a hotel in Klang has been exposed for promoting sexual services online through WhatsApp and Telegram, following a targeted enforcement operation by the Malaysian Immigration Department (JIM).
In a coordinated raid, 33 individuals — 29 foreign nationals and four Malaysians — were arrested across three premises in Klang and Puchong during Ops Gegar, conducted by enforcement officers from the Immigration Department's headquarters in Putrajaya.
According to a statement from JIM, the first raid was carried out at 3.20pm at a hotel in Klang, which was found to be involved in the prostitution of foreign women.
“In the raid, 13 foreign women — comprising five from Thailand, six from Indonesia, and two from Vietnam — were detained on suspicion of offering sexual services,” said the department.
Additionally, two Indonesian women working as cleaners at the same hotel were also arrested for lacking valid work permits. All detainees are aged between 19 and 53.
The syndicate’s modus operandi involved promoting sex services via websites, with clients contacting them through WhatsApp and Telegram. “Customers were then directed to the first floor of the hotel,” said the statement.
“Sexual services were priced between RM190 and RM960, depending on the nationality of the woman. Two local men, believed to be caretakers for the foreign women, were also detained.”
The second phase of the operation took place at 5.30pm, involving simultaneous raids on two reflexology premises in Puchong.
“Out of 25 individuals screened, 16 foreign women were detained. These included nine Thai nationals, four from Myanmar, two from Laos, and one from China,” said the department.
The women, aged between 20 and 37, are suspected of being involved in offering illicit services under the guise of massage therapy. Two Malaysian citizens were also arrested for allegedly employing foreign nationals without valid documentation.
All detainees were taken to the Putrajaya Immigration Depot for further investigation under the Immigration Act 1959/63, the Passport Act 1966, and the Immigration Regulations 1963.
“The department will continue to take firm action against any party found violating the Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966, Immigration Regulations 1963, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM),” JIM stated. - October 3, 2025
