'Dark side' of the internet: Prominent cases of online crime in Malaysia

SHAH ALAM - The rise of online platforms has given way to a disturbing increase in illicit activities, from the distribution of adult content to the organisation of unlawful services and networks.

In response, Malaysian authorities have intensified their efforts to clamp down on these online crimes, leading to significant arrests and dismantling of syndicates.

Here are a few prominent cases that illustrated the ongoing battle against online exploitation in Malaysia.

Infamous "Hot Daddy" gigolo case

In the Kuala Lumpur magistrate's court, Hasli Ikhwan Arif Zul Hasli who is also known as "Hot Daddy" and two women Norhidayah Mahadi and Norshazrina Md Zamri were facing charges for selling pornographic videos.

The trio were charged under Section 292(a) of the Penal Code.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a fine, or both, if convicted.

They pleaded not guilty and they were granted RM4,000 bail each.

The case, which gained traction on social media as the "Hot Daddy" case, highlighted the broader societal interest in online misconduct.

Hasli and Norhidayah were also charged with possessing pornographic materials at the Bukit Aman Anti-Vice, Gambling, and Secret Societies Division.

This charge falls under the Film Censorship Act 2002, which carries a fine of up to RM50,000 or a prison term of up to five years, upon conviction.

The judge set bail at RM5,000 for each of the accused.

WhatsApp syndicate

In June, police in Bandar Bukit Mahkota, Bangi, Selangor, arrested a woman suspected of engaging in illegal activities, including promoting sexual services and selling performance-enhancing drugs via social media.

According to reports by Malay daily Harian Metro, the illegal operation was said to generate monthly earnings of up to RM20,000.

Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Farouk Eshak who headed the Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7) at Bukit Aman, confirmed that the arrest also involved four additional suspects, three men and another woman.

Investigations revealed that the group was involved in promoting sexual services, distributing pornographic material and selling sexual enhancement products.

Their operation primarily utilised social media platforms, encouraging potential clients to join a private Telegram group.

Access to this group required a subscription fee between RM450 and RM550. Once subscribed, communication with clients took place via WhatsApp, where they coordinated meetings and transactions for sexual services.

Police checks discovered that the main suspect had amassed a significant following on TikTok, boasting around 226,000 active followers.

The case was being investigated under Section 372(1)(e) and Section 292(a) of the Penal Code, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

Pet GB (Pet Gang Bang)

In August, it was reported that a civil servant and a university student were among 36 people arrested for allegedly being involved in "swinger" activities.

The suspects comprising locals and foreign nationals were believed to be part of a 147,000-member online community called "Swing That Fun."

All of them who were arrested in two separate raids by the police and Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department were aged between 19 and 41.

It was reported that the group would charge RM388 for those seeking to be members and they would have to pay RM400 to participate in "swinging" sessions or RM350 if they came with a partner.

Police said the raids were the result of a three-month sting assisted by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

IP addresses

Harian Metro reported that over 100,000 Internet Protocol (IP) addresses based in Malaysia have been identified as accessing pornographic websites, especially those hosting child pornography.

Simply typing related keywords yielded thousands of search results, including explicit videos, despite search engines being equipped with functionality to filter explicit content.

The Royal Malaysia Police Criminal Investigation Department's Sexual, Women and Child Investigations Division (D11) disclosed that it had received information on 93,368 IP addresses suspected of sharing child pornography online over the past year.

This data was gathered through collaborative efforts between Bukit Aman, Interpol, the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children.

The surge in online criminal activities involving pornography, prostitution and swinger networks revealed a complex issue that extended beyond physical boundaries.

These cases not only highlighted the legal implications but also raise questions about societal impacts and the ease of digital access to illegal services.

The recent investigations, coupled with collaborations between Malaysian and international agencies, indicated that authorities were committed to tackling these crimes.

However, the increasing prevalence of these online syndicates highlighted an ongoing need for vigilance, stronger regulations and enhanced public awareness.