The Police are investigating nine persons following enforcement operations on massage establishments between 4 and 11 August 2021.
During the operations, Ang Mo Kio Police Division raided massage establishments located along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4, Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Brighton Crescent, Hougang Avenue 8, Upper Paya Lebar Road, and Yio Chu Kang Road.
Seven massage establishments were found to have committed various offences under the Massage Establishments Act. The Police also found that four of the massage establishments were allegedly operating without valid licenses, while vice-related activities were purportedly detected at another three licensed massage establishments. Two women, aged 37 and 45, were arrested under the Women’s Charter. Preliminary investigations revealed that the women had allegedly provided sexual services within the massage establishments.
Police investigations against the nine persons, comprising of operators and masseuses, are ongoing.
Under Section 5(1) of the Massage Establishments Act 2017, those found carrying on a business of providing massage services in an establishment for massage without a valid licence shall be fined up to S$10,000, face imprisonment of up to two years, or both. For repeat offenders, the offence carries a fine not exceeding $20,000, imprisonment of up five years, or both. Under Section 35 of the Massage Establishments Act, those found to have breached the prescribed rules and conditions may be subjected to a fine not exceeding $5,000. For repeat offenders, the offence carries a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both.
Under the Women’s Charter, 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 seven years, and a fine not exceeding $100,000.
The Police have been consistently taking enforcement action at massage establishments to suppress vice and other illicit activities. Perpetrators will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Photographs of Massage Establishments raided
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
14 August 2021 @ 12:15 PM