On April 28, 2023, the Singapore Police Force announced the arrest of 14 individuals, including 13 women and one man, in connection with vice-related activities.
The arrests were made during raids on hotels and residential units in the central part of Singapore on April 24 and 25.
The suspects, aged between 22 and 59, were apprehended in the vicinity of Bras Basah Road, Havelock Road, Shanghai Road, and Orchard Road. During the operations, police seized cash amounting to nearly $40,000, mobile phones, and vice-related paraphernalia, such as condoms.
A 59-year-old man, who is believed to have facilitated the operation of an online vice syndicate, is scheduled to be charged in court on April 29. He is accused of knowingly receiving a reward for providing services that aided the prostitution of another person.
Under the Women’s Charter, those found guilty of knowingly soliciting, receiving, or agreeing to receive any reward for providing any service that aids, or may aid, the prostitution of another person can face up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
Additionally, any person who uses a remote communication service with a Singapore link that offers or facilitates the provision of commercial sexual services by a woman or girl to another person in Singapore can be jailed for up to five years, fined up to $100,000, or both.
The police have reiterated their commitment to combating vice-related activities and will continue to take tough enforcement action against those involved in such illegal activities. They also urged the public to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.