The Police have arrested 24 foreigners, comprising 23 women and a man, aged between 20 and 33 for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities.
On 17 May 2017, officers from Central Division and Criminal Investigation Department conducted raids at a hotel along Jalan Besar Road resulting in the arrests. Those involved allegedly made use of their stay in Singapore on valid social visit passes to commit vice-related offences.
Preliminary investigations revealed that they have been advertising their sexual services on different online platforms and vice websites. Potential customers can book their services via mobile phone numbers or email addresses provided on these websites. During the operation, condoms and lubricants were seized as case exhibits.
Any person who contravenes the offence of being the tenant, lessee or occupier or person in charge of a brothel and the offence of keeping, managing or assisting in the management of a brothel under Section 148 of the Women’s Charter, Chapter 353, is liable on conviction to a fine of up to a maximum of $10,000, or to imprisonment of up to five years, or both. In addition, any person who contravenes the offence of knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person, e.g. receiving rental earnings from the prostitutes, is 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.
The Police will continue to clamp down on criminal activities and those who engage in such activities will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
17 May 2017 @ 4:30 PM