KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: A vice syndicate luring customers through the 'kuaci seduction' method was smashed following the arrests of 49 prostitutes and two pimps at a restaurant in Jalan Pudu here and hotels nearby.

The women worked as waitresses at the restaurant and sold kuaci (melon seeds) to male patrons before offering them sexual services.

The pimps, who had been operating there for over two years, thought they had a windfall when 19 men walked into the restaurant to make their 'orders' through their 'waitresses' on Friday night.

However, the customers turned out to be policemen from the Bukit Aman anti-vice, gaming and secret society division.

The policemen then raided two nearby hotels, Hotel Aseana and New Oriental Hotel, and arrested 49 foreign women.

Federal CID principal assistant director (detention) Senior Asst Comm II Mohd Rodwan Mohd Yusof said the two pimps in their 30s and eight customers were also nabbed.

Police also seized several packets of condoms and tubes of lubricants in the raid.

"The women aged from 21 to the early 30s would approach the men and sell them a packet of kuaci usually for about RM1 or RM2 before offering them sexual services," SAC Mohd Rodwan said.

He said that if the men bought the kuaci, the women would sit down to start a casual conversation and even have a drink with them.

SAC Mohd Rodwan said some women would give their mobile phone numbers to the men and move on to another table.

He said the women offered their services at as low as RM50 when there were few clients and up to RM250 during peak hours.

"All the women had work documents but we are trying to verify if their documents are genuine. They will be handed over to the Immigration Department for further action," he added.