The Police have arrested 154 women and a man, aged between 19 and 49, for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities.
In a 21-day operation that ended on 12 May 2019, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and seven Police Land Divisions conducted coordinated raids targeting online vice syndicates at multiple locations islandwide, including condominiums, hotels and residential units in Geylang, Woodlands, Yishun, Jurong West, Hougang and along Balestier Road, resulting in the arrests. Investigations are ongoing.
The Police will continue to work with members of the public on information related to vice activities and will take tough enforcement action against those involved in such activities.
House owners play an important role in preventing vice activities, and are reminded to conduct regular checks on their tenants to prevent such activities from proliferating in residential estates. House owners who knowingly rent their premises to any person for vice-related activities will be prosecuted and face imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or a fine not exceeding $3,000, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, they will face a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.
HDB flats are meant for residential purposes, and the use of flats for vice activities is strictly prohibited. HDB takes a serious view on the misuse of HDB flats and will not hesitate to take appropriate actions against flat owners who are found to be involved in the misuse. This includes imposing a financial penalty, or compulsory acquisition of the flat. Tenants who are found to be involved in the misuse of the flat will also not be allowed to rent an HDB flat for five years.
Any person who knowingly solicits, receives or agrees to receive any gratification as an inducement or reward for providing any service, and who by providing that service does or will aid the prostitution of another person (being a woman or girl), shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000. Any male person who is convicted of a second or subsequent offence shall, in addition to any term of imprisonment imposed in respect of such offence, be liable to caning.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
16 May 2019 @ 9:10 PM