Ammon News - Malaysian authorities announced that police had dismantled a suspected foreign child-trafficking ring allegedly forcing 17 Jordanian minors to beg in some of the city's busiest tourist and commercial areas.

According to Malaysian media, the operation, dubbed “Ops Pintas Kasih,” resulted in the rescue of eight boys and nine girls aged between three months and 14 years. The suspected network operated mainly along pedestrian walkways in Bukit Bintang and Chow Kit.

The operation targeted public walkways and involved raids on six residences allegedly used by the group.

Preliminary investigations found that the gang was making between 500 and 1,000 Malaysian ringgit per day by exploiting the children to solicit money from the public. Police believe the group was part of an organized network run by Jordanian nationals who had entered Malaysia legally on 90-day social visit passes.

Police said 15 adults were arrested during the raids—seven men and eight women aged between 21 and 49.

Although the suspects are believed to be Jordanian nationals, five of them were unable to produce valid travel documents. Authorities are currently investigating possible family relationships between the victims and those allegedly responsible for their exploitation.

During the operation, police seized 32 Jordanian passports, 14 mobile phones, four baby strollers allegedly used in the begging activities, and a large amount of cash in various currencies totaling more than RM25,000.

The suspects are being investigated under several laws, including Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, which carries a potential life imprisonment sentence.

Other alleged offenses include violations of the Child Act 2001 for allowing children to beg, as well as multiple immigration offenses involving unlawful entry and misuse of social visit passes.