The Singapore Police Force (‘SPF’), in collaboration with Hong Kong Police Force (‘HKPF’) and Korean National Police Agency (‘KNPA’), have jointly arrested 272 persons, aged between 12 and 73, in a cross-border operation targeting online child sexual exploitation activities between 26 February 2024 and 29 March 2024.
During the five-week operation, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (‘CID’) and the seven Land Divisions, in collaboration with HKPF and KNPA, conducted raids at 236 locations in Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea. Electronic devices, including 50 computers, 26 laptops, 39 handphones, 6 tablets, 91 storage devices and 1 router, associated with the alleged crimes found at 44 locations in Singapore were seized.
28 persons, aged between 18 and 59, were arrested in Singapore for allegedly possessing, gaining access and distributing child abuse materials under Sections 377BI and 377BK of the Penal Code 1871, sexual communication with minor under Section 376EB of the Penal Code 1871, transmission and sale of obscene materials under Section 292(1)(a) of the Penal Code 1871, and investigated for the offence of possession of obscene films under Section 30 of the Films Act 1981. Among the arrested were a seller and his seven buyers of child abuse materials in Singapore. Another 16 persons, aged between 22 and 70, are assisting with Police investigations.
Preliminary investigations revealed that some of the men obtained child abuse materials through messaging platforms.
The remaining persons arrested in Hong Kong and South Korea have allegedly committed similar crimes involving child abuse materials.
Amongst the persons arrested in Singapore, nine have been referred to the Home Team Community Assistance and Referral Scheme (‘HT CARES’), where social workers, also known as CARES officers, will conduct social triaging on them and assess whether further intervention is needed.
According to Section 377BK of Singapore’s Penal Code 1871, any person who has in possession, or has gained access to child abuse material, and knows or has reason to believe that the material is child abuse material shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to a fine or caning.
Under Section 377BI Penal Code 1871, those who distribute, or sell, or offer for sale child abuse material or have in the possession child abuse material for the purpose of such distribution, sale or offer for sale, and know or have reason to believe that the material is child abuse material shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to a fine or to caning.
Anyone of or above 18 years of age shall be guilty of an offence if he, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification from another person below 16 years of age, engages in communication that is sexual in nature. A person who is guilty of this offence under Section 376EB of the Penal Code 1871 shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 years, or with fine, or with both if the victim is below 14 years of age, and in any other case, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years, or with fine, or with both.Under 292(1)(a) of the Penal Code 1871, whoever sells, lets to hire, distributes, transmits by electronic means, publicly exhibits or in any manner puts into circulation, or for purposes of sale, hire, distribution, transmission, public exhibition or circulation, makes, produces, or has in his possession any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation or figure, or any other obscene object whatsoever, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 months, or with fine, or with both.
1 Deputy Director CID, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Yeo Yee Chuan expressed his appreciation to all SPF, HKPF and KNPA officers involved for their professionalism and tenacity during the operations. He said, “Crimes against children cannot be condoned. The proliferation of the Internet, as well as the rapid development of other technology, has enabled the fast, widespread, and anonymous distribution of child abuse materials worldwide. It is important for law enforcement agencies to continue taking tough and coordinated enforcement actions against online child sexual exploitation activities, including the possession and distribution of child abuse materials. Singapore takes a serious view of child sexual exploitation and abuse, and will spare no effort to protect children from such harm. Those found engaging in such activities will be dealt firmly in accordance with the law.”
Acting Senior Superintendent, Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of HKPF, Rachel Hui expressed her gratitude to SPF for coordinating this joint operation to safeguard the well-being and safety of our next generation. She stated that enforcement actions against child sexual abuse are of utmost importance and it would send a strong message to the public that such abhorrent behaviour will not be tolerated in any form. In addition, enforcement actions could help identifying and apprehending individuals who pose threats to children, thereby preventing further harm. It is essential for society to prioritise the protection of children and take decisive measures to combat child sexual abuse.
The KNPA expressed their sincere appreciation to SPF and HKPF for their efforts in the cross-border operation targeting online child sexual exploitation activities. They said, "This special operation was a very meaningful attempt to curb crimes against children such as overseas messengers and websites. We hope to strengthen solidarity between countries and expand it in the future to cope with child sexual exploitation crimes.”
SPF officers during enforcement operations ▼
KNPA officers during enforcement operations ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
05 April 2024 @ 8:55 PM