Fifty-four foreign women were arrested in a series of raids on 13 premises across the city, where Immigration officers uncovered massage parlours allegedly operating as fronts for sexual services.
The operation, led by the Perak Immigration Department after two weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering, targeted outlets posing as legitimate wellness centres but suspected of running illicit activities.
State Immigration Department director Datuk James Lee said 91 officers from the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Immigration Departments joined the enforcement action.
“Our focus was to clamp down on immoral activities, particularly those operating under the pretext of massage services,” Lee said.
Among those detained were 48 women from Thailand, two from Indonesia, and four from Vietnam, aged between 20 and 35. All had entered Malaysia on social visit passes but were found working illegally, in violation of the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963.
Lee revealed that the services were promoted through social media platforms such as TikTok and WhatsApp, allowing customers to view offers and arrange appointments either at the parlours or at private residences. Prices typically ranged between RM50 and RM100.
Local customers were also found at the premises during the raids and were issued notices to appear at the immigration office for further investigation.
Authorities confirmed that the owners and operators of the businesses will be summoned for questioning.
