The Police have arrested 35 women and two men, aged between 21 and 42, for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities.
Between 1 March to 23 March 2023, officers from Tanglin Police Division and the Criminal Investigation Department conducted raids at multiple massage establishments, hotels, and commercial units at Balestier Road, Outram Road, Upper Paya Lebar, and Selegie Road.
Investigations against the 37 individuals are ongoing. The two men arrested, aged 21 and 23, are investigated for organising the provision of sexual services.
Vice syndicates have been leveraging technology to extend their reach and facilitate their operations with increasing sophistication. The women arrested during this operation had advertised their sexual services online. The Police will spare no effort to clamp down and take tough enforcement action against vice activities.
Under the Women’s Charter 1961, any person who, in the course of business, uses a remote communication service with a Singapore link to offer or facilitate the provision by a woman or girl to another person of sexual services in Singapore in return for payment or reward, shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both. Where the person is a repeat offender, he will be liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $150,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or to both.
Under the same Act, any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of a woman or girl shall be guilty of an offence and shall be punished on conviction with imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000. Where the person is a repeat offender, he shall be liable on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding $150,000.
Deputy Commander of Tanglin Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police (DAC) Teo Yee Lay said: “The joint operation led by Tanglin Police Division is part of the Police’s ongoing effort to keep the streets safe and secure for everyone. We will continue to sustain the tempo of operations, and work closely with other law enforcement agencies to take tough action against those involved in illicit activities. Offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.”
Massage Establishment Enforcement Operation ▼
Enforcement Operation at a Commercial Unit ▼
Mobile phones suspected to be used in coordination of vice activities ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
27 March 2023 @ 10:10 AM