A 46-year-old Singaporean man and his 37-year-old Thai wife have admitted to operating an online prostitution network that allegedly recruited Thai women and arranged for them to travel to Singapore for sex work.
The couple were among five individuals arrested by Thai police in coordinated operations in Rayong and Phitsanulok. Two Singaporean men were among those arrested.
According to The Thaiger, the Singaporean man, identified only as Leow, told investigators that he began recruiting women and sending them to Singapore in 2019. He allegedly worked alongside another Singaporean man, Aaron, 42.
Wife Allegedly Managed Online Platform And Customers
Investigators said Leow was responsible for recruiting the women, while his wife, Apaporn, allegedly managed the network’s online operations.
She reportedly created the online storefront, sourced customers and arranged accommodation for the women when they arrived in Singapore.
The couple allegedly used Telegram, LINE and WhatsApp to communicate with customers and coordinate their operations.
Another accused, Pongsakorn, 35, reportedly handled administrative duties, including responding to customer enquiries and editing photographs of the women.
The fifth accused, Nanthanee, 33, denied being involved in the operation. She reportedly told investigators that she had only lent her bank account to others without knowing what it would be used for.
Singapore Authorities Helped Thai Police Uncover Network
The investigation reportedly began after Singapore’s Criminal Investigation Department provided information about an online prostitution network suspected of moving women across international borders to Thai authorities.
Thai investigators subsequently traced financial transactions and alleged proceeds linked to a network known as Lover’s Fortress.
The operation reportedly ran through two websites called 7th Heaven and 7th Heaven 2.
Following investigations, Thai police obtained arrest warrants and conducted searches at two locations.
Officers seized 15 mobile phones, three computers and laptops, 16 bank books and 10 ATM cards. They also recovered 100,000 baht (approximately S$3,794) in cash and jewellery.
The total value of the seized items was estimated to exceed 350,000 baht (approximately S$13,280).
Five Arrested Face Multiple Charges
All five individuals are facing prostitution-related charges, including procuring women for prostitution, operating and profiting from prostitution, advertising sexual services, money laundering and participating in a transnational criminal organisation.
Thai police have not disclosed how many women were allegedly sent to Singapore through the network.
It also remains unclear whether any of the women involved are still in Singapore.
The case highlights how online platforms and cross-border financial transactions can allegedly be used to facilitate illegal activities across multiple countries, requiring cooperation between law enforcement agencies to investigate such networks.