The syndicate operated by moving into different hotels every two weeks to avoid detection, and had set up dedicated chats on Wechat, Telegram and Link to communicate with customers.

A total of 15 women were detained – 11 Thais, three Vietnamese and an Indonesian. They are aged between 19 and 34.

Seven Malaysian men were also detained, made up of those suspected to be pimps for the women and the hotel operations manager.

“The prostitution activity took place on the third floor of the hotel and the rooms were registered using the names of local citizens who were suspected of acting as guardians for the foreign women,” said immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud.

The suspects will be charged with various offences under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act, Immigration Act 1959/63, Passport Act 1966 and Immigration Regulations 1963.

Condoms, lubricants, room access cards, hotel CCTV footage and mobile phones were among the items seized during the raid.

Three clients present during the raid and other hotel employees have been told to give their statements in order to assist in the investigation.

“All detainees will be taken to the Putrajaya district health office to undergo a Covid-19 screening before being sent to the Lenggeng immigration depot in Negeri Sembilan,” Khairul Dzaimee said.