The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) on Sunday detained four individuals on suspicion of being involved in a syndicate to exploit foreign women and children as beggars in Petaling Jaya, near here.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar in his Twitter account said they comprised a taxi driver and three caretakers, all members of the syndicate.

He said police rescued 17 individuals including four children and two babies from the syndicate.

Khalid also congratulated the PDRM Anti-Human Trafficking/Smuggling of Migrant (Atip Unit) for its success in curbing the activity.

"Congratulation Atip Unit @PDRMsia for rescuing 17 foreigners who were forced to work (11 adults, four children and two babies) in Petaling Jaya. Arrested four people, caretakers and taxi driver.#GoPDRMGo.

"Seventeen foreigners were victims of exploitation by a syndicate which exploits women, children and babies as beggars," he said.

Meanwhile, Bukit Aman Anti-Vice, Gambling and Secret Societies Division (D7) Principle Assistant Director SAC Rohaimi Md Isa said the four detained on suspicion of involvement in a syndicate to exploit women and children were a local man and three Cambodian nationals comprising two men and a woman.

He said the syndicate's activities were revealed after a police team from the ATIPSOM D7C Unit conducted an observation and raid on a house in Prima Damansara Jalan PJU 10/9, Petaling Jaya.

"They saw nine women, two men, four children and two babies taken in two taxis to Jalan PJU 10/9E. Police stopped the taxi drivers and rescued all the victims who were suspected to be beggars," he said when contacted by Bernama.

Rohaimi said police also seized two taxis, cash RM360, six cellphones, two sets of car keys and a sling bag.

"All the 17 victims and suspects including the goods were taken to the Serdang District Police Headquarters for further action and the case was investigated under Section 44 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) 2007," he said.