In a startling revelation, a syndicate of foreign beggars has been exposed for exploiting children to earn up to RM3,000 daily in bustling areas like Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, and Klang, Selangor.

The shocking discovery was made during Op Pintas Khas, an operation conducted by the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Atipsom) Division under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Bukit Aman. The operation, led by Senior Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong, took place at 10 p.m. and resulted in the arrest of eight suspects, all Yemeni nationals.

Authorities rescued seven children during the raid, all of whom were victims of forced labor. Among the rescued were six boys aged between one month and 16 years, as well as a five-year-old girl, all Yemeni nationals. The children have since been placed under the care of the authorities in compliance with Section 44(1) of the Atipsom Act 2007.

According to SAC Soffian, the suspects, aged between 21 and 30 years, allegedly belong to a criminal syndicate active since September 2024. The group is believed to have exploited children for begging, strategically operating in groups from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. Investigators estimate their daily earnings to range from RM2,500 to RM3,000.

The suspects, comprising six men and two women, are now under investigation under Section 14 of the Atipsom Act 2007, which deals with offenses related to human trafficking.

This operation underscores the importance of vigilance in combating human trafficking and child exploitation. The authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling such syndicates and ensuring the safety of vulnerable children in Malaysia.

Source: Harian Metro