KUALA LUMPUR: Fifteen foreign women are among 17 people detained in raids on two suspected brothels in Johor Baru.

       Immigration Department director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the two premises in Taman Pelangi, Johor Baru were raided at about 7.45pm on Saturday (March 5).

       "We detained 14 Thai women, a female Laos national, a male Myanmar national and a local man during the raids.

       "We believe the foreign women were working as prostitutes at the premises.

       "We also conducted checks on 12 other men believed to be customers," he said in a statement on Monday (March 7).

       The syndicate promoted its services via WhatsApp and Telegram, he added.

       "Prospective customers would book the women they wanted via social media.

       "Each customer was charged between RM250 and RM350 per session," he added.

       Khairul Dzaimee said the owners of the premises operated the brothels under the guise of massage parlours.

       "Both premises open between 11am and 11pm daily," he said.

       Those detained were brought to the Immigration Depot in Setia Tropika, Johor Baru.

       "The vice dens were raided after a tip-off and almost a month of surveillance," Khairul Dzaimee said.