The Police have arrested four men and 11 women, aged between 22 and 37, for their suspected involvement in advertising the sexual services of female escorts online.
In a 10-hour operation mounted on 14 September 2016, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) conducted raids at multiple locations islandwide, including Geylang, Serangoon Road, Balestier Road, Orchard Road, Punggol Drive and Bayfront Avenue, resulting in the arrests. Cash amounting to about $27,000, mobile phones and other documents were also seized during the operation. Preliminary investigations revealed that the vice syndicate is believed to have operated two websites advertising the sexual services of female escorts of ASEAN origin.
The four men will be charged in Court on 16 September 2016 under the Women’s Charter. Investigations against the remaining suspects are ongoing.
Under Section 146 of the Women’s Charter, any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding S$10,000.
Head of CID’s Specialised Crime Branch, Superintendent of Police Tan Chi Koon said, “Vice operators who think that they can hide behind the anonymity of the Internet should think twice. The Police will find them and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
15 September 2016 @ 8:30 PM