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Nine persons, comprising eight men and a woman, aged between 20 and 41, will be charged in court on 3 August 2026 for their suspected involvement in offences involving the sexual exploitation of minors. 

Officers from the Specialised Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department arrested the nine persons following investigations into the sexual exploitation of two minors. Both victims were below 18 years old when the offences were committed. 

Preliminary investigations revealed that the 20-year-old woman had exploited both victims by facilitating the provision of commercial sexual services and profiting from these arrangements. She is also believed to have recruited one of the victims for the purpose of exploitation. The woman will be charged with one count of trafficking for the purpose of exploitation under Section 3(2) of the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2014 and one count of knowingly receiving payments in connection with the exploitation of a trafficked victim under Section 6(1) of the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2014. She will also face additional charges relating to the facilitation of commercial sexual services and cheating offences. 

Through follow-up investigations, the identities of the eight men who had allegedly obtained commercial sexual services from one of the victims were established. Each of them will be charged with at least one count of obtaining commercial sex with a minor below 18 years of age under Section 376B(1) of the Penal Code 1871. Additionally, three of the eight men will also be charged with possession of obscene films under Section 30 of the Films Act 1981, in relation to unrelated obscene materials found during investigations.

Under Section 3(2) of the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2014, any person who recruits, transports, transfers, harbours or receives another person for the purpose of exploitation shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding 10 years, and caning not exceeding six strokes. 

Under Section 6(1) of the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2014, any person who knowingly receives payment in connection with the exploitation of a trafficked victim shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding 10 years, and caning not exceeding six strokes. 

Under Section 146(1) of the Women's Charter 1961, any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000, and an imprisonment term not exceeding seven years.

Under Section 376B(1) of the Penal Code 1871, any person who obtains, for consideration, the sexual services of a person below 18 years of age shall be liable on conviction to an imprisonment term not exceeding seven years, a fine, or both.

Under Section 30(1) of the Films Act 1981, any person who possesses any obscene film shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding six months, or both. 

The Police take a serious view of offences involving the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children and young persons. We will spare no effort to investigate, and bring to justice those who recruit, exploit or profit from the exploitation of minors, as well as those who obtain the commercial sexual services of minors.