Melaka: Police detained seven individuals for alleged involvement in human trafficking and rescued 14 others believed to be victims of forced labour here today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Melaka Police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar stated that two raids were conducted by a team from the D3 Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Division, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) from Bukit Aman, at Taman Klebang Besar and Jalan Tengkera at about 1 am.

In the operation, seven suspects aged between 19 and 38 were detained, including a man from China, a Taiwanese woman, a Myanmar man, and four women from Myanmar, the Philippines, and Indonesia. All suspects were arrested under Section 12 of the ATIPSOM Act 2007 for alleged involvement in forced labour exploitation activities. They are also being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

Dzulkhairi reported that in the same operation, police rescued 14 victims aged between 25 and 36. The group included seven men and six women from the Philippines, as well as one woman from Myanmar. Initial investigations suggest that these individuals were trafficked for forced labour exploitation in online scam activities.

The victims were initially promised employment as customer service personnel. However, upon arrival in the country, they were coerced into participating in scam activities. They were reportedly subjected to debt bondage, with their passports confiscated, placed under strict control, and not permitted to leave, in addition to being forced to work overtime against their will.

Dzulkhairi added that all arrested individuals, along with the victims, have been handed over to the investigating officer at the Melaka Tengah district police headquarters for further action. An application for an Interim Protection Order (IPO) for the 14 victims has been made for 21 days starting today until April 16, 2026.