WeChat and WhatsApp were allegedly used to connect customers with providers offering immoral services for between RM70 and RM180 in the district, according to the Johor Immigration Department.
The activity was uncovered after the department conducted an enforcement operation at several massage parlours and residential premises believed to have been used for the activities at about 7pm on Tuesday.
Johor Immigration director Datuk Haji Mohd Rusdi Mohd Darus said intelligence and surveillance had found that the services were allegedly advertised and arranged through the two messaging applications.
He said payments for the services were believed to have been made in cash, while the use of residential premises as locations suggested an attempt to conceal the activities from the authorities.
“Initial checks found that 25 individuals were detained for various immigration offences during the operation.
“They comprised seven Vietnamese women, three Thai women, three Indonesian women, six Myanmar women, one Vietnamese man, three Indonesian men, and one Nepalese man and one Myanmar man,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
Mohd Rusdi said all those detained were aged between 25 and 41, while two Malaysian nationals believed to have been acting as premises caretakers were also detained.
All those detained were taken to the Setia Tropika Immigration Depot for further investigation under the Immigration Act 1959/63 and Immigration Regulations 1963.
He said three Form 29 notices, which are summonses issued to witnesses, were also issued during the inspections to assist investigations.
“Tough action will continue to be taken against any party involved in prostitution activities and the misuse of social visit passes,” he said.
Mohd Rusdi said the Johor Immigration Department viewed the misuse of passes and facilities granted to foreigners seriously and would continue efforts to combat and curb the presence of illegal immigrants in the state.
