KUALA LUMPUR: The Immigration Department has rescued two foreign women suspected of being victims of sexual exploitation, during a special operation conducted yesterday.
The department, in a statement said the operation, which began at 2.38pm, was led by a team from the Putrajaya Immigration headquarters Intelligence and Special Operations Division.
Acting on intelligence, the team raided a location in the city and apprehended a 36-year-old Bangladeshi man, believed to be the syndicate leader, he said.
He said the location was allegedly being used as a hub for illicit sexual activities."In addition to the mastermind, authorities detained two Bangladeshi men, aged 30 and 39, who were identified as syndicate members, along with a 50-year-old Bangladeshi client," read the statement.
The Immigration Department said the syndicate's modus operandi involved luring the women from Bangladesh to Malaysia with false promises of employment, offering a monthly salary of RM2,000.
Upon arrival, the victims were taken to a residence and subsequently relocated to other sites where they were coerced into sex work.
"The victims were forced to work from morning until late at night, serving foreign clients managed by the syndicate.
"They were not paid and only provided with food and drink.
"Initial investigations revealed the women had been exploited for approximately one month."
It said the operation utilised the National Guideline on Human Trafficking Indicators (NGHTI) 2.0 to identify victims of trafficking.
The department also pledged its commitment to continued enforcement against human trafficking under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007 (Act 670).
"The department will take stern action against any parties involved in such offences.
"The public is encouraged to provide information to help authorities combat human trafficking and smuggling activities," it said.