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The Police will be charging a 26-year-old man in court on 13 August 2026 for his suspected involvement in operating massage establishments without valid licences, causing or contributing to the risk of a dangerous fire, and other offences.

Between June and December 2025, the Police conducted several enforcement operations on massage outlets islandwide. Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had operated five massage outlets without valid licences at Little India, Beach Road, Macpherson Road, Serangoon Garden and Balestier Road.

Further investigations revealed that the man was involved in two other separate cases. In October 2021, he allegedly dropped a lit cigarette over the ledge from the fourth floor of a building along Admiralty Street, which subsequently caused a fire. In September 2024, he allegedly relinquished his bank account and i-banking credentials to a criminal syndicate for $500. His bank account was subsequently used to facilitate scam operations.

The man will be charged in court with the following offences:

1. Carrying on businesses of providing massage services in establishments for massage without licences under Section 5(1) of the Massage Establishments Act 2017. The offence carries a fine of up to S$10,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both. Repeat offenders are liable to a fine of up to $20,000, an imprisonment term of up to five years, or both;
   
   
2. Causing or contributing to risk of dangerous fire under Section 285(1)(c) of the Penal Code 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term which may extend to 18 months, a fine, or both;
   
   
3. Abetting to secure unauthorised access to computer material under Section 3(1) read with Section 12 of the Computer Misuse Act 1993. The offence carries a fine not exceeding $5,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding two years, or both, for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders are liable to a fine of up to $10,000, an imprisonment term of up to three years, or both; and
   
   
4. Facilitating the retention or control of another person’s benefits from criminal conduct under Section 55A(1)(a)(i) read with Section 55A(1)(b)(ii) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992. The offence carries a fine not exceeding $50,000, an imprisonment term not exceeding three years, or both.
   
   

The Police will continue to conduct regular enforcement checks on massage establishments and take firm action against those found to be operating without valid licences. The Police take a serious view of offences linked to scam activities and will not hesitate to take action against individuals who may be involved. Members of the public are advised to reject seemingly attractive money-making opportunities promising fast and easy pay-outs, such as for the use of their Singpass accounts, bank accounts, or allow their personal bank accounts to be to be used to receive and transfer funds for others. Individuals found to be linked to such crimes will be held accountable.