The Police have arrested 62 women, aged between 21 and 51, for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities.
In a 38-day operation that ended on 17 September 2020, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the seven Police Land Divisions conducted coordinated raids at multiple locations islandwide, including condominiums, hotels and residential units at Jalan Bukit Merah, Sing Joo Walk, Marne Road, Mistri Road, Race Course Road, Alexandra Road, Telok Blangah Road, Zion Road, River Valley Road, Kim Keat Close, Kellock Road, Nathan Road, Jalan Dusun, Ah Hood Road, Wilkie Road, Richards Ave, Upper Serangoon Road, Lorong Melayu, Changi Road, Geylang, Lorong L Telok Kurau, Lorong Marican, Kang Ching Road, Yishun, Woodlands, Hougang, Sophia Road and Meyappa Chettiar Road.
Police investigations are ongoing.
The Police have observed an increase in the number vice activities in residential estates, facilitated by the use of online platforms to advertise vice-related services and to solicit for clients.
All property owners have a responsibility to ensure that such illicit activities do not take place in their properties. They should exercise vigilance and look out for suspicious or dubious tenants. This includes verifying the identity of a prospective tenant and his/her purpose of the tenancy, before entering into a tenancy agreement or allowing the prospective tenant to start occupying the apartment. This can be done by:
- Personally inspecting the prospective tenant’s documents of identity.
- Having a face-to-face interview with them.
Tenants who sublet their private property should adopt similar checks before they sublet the property.
Home owners or tenants who fail to exercise reasonable diligence or knowingly rent out their properties for vice activities may be prosecuted. If convicted, they can be fined up to $100,000 or jailed up to 5 years, or both. Repeat offenders can be fined up to $150,000, jailed up to 7 years or both.
Additionally, under HDB’s Terms and Conditions, HDB flat owners are responsible for conducting regular checks to ensure that their tenants do not misuse the flat, further rent out any part of the flat, or create nuisance to their neighbours. HDB takes a serious view of flat owners and tenants who violate such conditions, particularly if the flat is misused for vice activities, and will not hesitate to take the appropriate action against them.
The Police will also take stern action against those found acting as agents or pimps for vice activities. Any person who knowingly solicits, receives or agrees to receive any gratification as an inducement or reward for facilitating vice activities shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000. Repeat offenders shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000, and in addition to any term of imprisonment imposed in respect of such offence, be liable to caning.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
01 October 2020 @ 12:53 PM