Soffian Santong, the assistant head of Bukit Aman’s criminal investigation department’s anti-human trafficking unit, said officers raided several locations in Klang and Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur at about 10pm.

Police arrested eight Yemeni nationals, including two women, aged 21 to 30, Utusan Malaysia reported.

They also rescued seven children, six boys and one girl, aged between one month and 16 years.

“One of the suspects arrested is believed to be the mastermind of the syndicate.

“They are believed to have been active since September last year, exploiting children for the purpose of begging for alms,” Soffian said.

He added the syndicate would beg for alms in groups from 6pm to 3am, earning between RM2,500 and RM3,000 a day.

Investigations are being conducted under Section 14 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act for trafficking in children.