In a significant crackdown on transnational crime, two Singaporean men, aged 36 and 38, were apprehended in Thailand on June 17, 2025, for their suspected roles in operating a cross-border prostitution syndicate. This operation was part of a broader initiative aimed at dismantling networks that recruit foreign women for illicit activities in Singapore.
The arrests were made possible through a collaborative effort between the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Royal Thai Police (RTP). Alongside the two Singaporeans, a 50-year-old Thai man was also taken into custody during the operation, highlighting the international dimensions of this criminal enterprise.

Extensive Investigation Uncovers Criminal Network


The investigation into this vice syndicate commenced in 2023, with authorities conducting anti-vice operations in Singapore from April 2023 to May 2025. These operations resulted in the arrest of at least 76 individuals who were allegedly managed by the syndicate under the Women’s Charter of 1961. The information gathered from these arrests proved instrumental in building a case against the syndicate.
Officers from the Specialised Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the SPF collaborated closely with the Technology Crime Suppression Division of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the RTP. This partnership facilitated the sharing of critical intelligence, which ultimately led to the identification of the three key members of the syndicate.


The 36-year-old Singaporean is believed to have played a supportive role in the syndicate’s operations, while the 38-year-old is accused of managing a complex network of bank accounts to transfer the earnings from prostitution activities back to Thailand.
Seizure of Assets and Ongoing Investigations

Following meticulous planning and coordination between the Singaporean and Thai police forces, the three suspects were arrested under the Thai Criminal Code. Authorities seized assets valued at over 20 million baht (approximately S$790,635), which included cash from bank accounts, two condominium units, laptops, mobile phones, hard drives, bank cards, and SIM cards.
In addition to the arrests, Singaporean police have frozen more than S$1.26 million in suspected criminal proceeds linked to the 38-year-old man’s bank accounts. The investigations are still ongoing, with both police forces expressing gratitude for their collaborative efforts.
Yeo Yee Chuan, the deputy director of CID and senior assistant commissioner of police, emphasised the importance of international cooperation in combating transnational crime. He stated, “The SPF is committed to working closely with our regional partners, and we thank the RTP for their invaluable collaboration in dismantling this criminal network to prevent the exploitation of women and stem the scourge of transnational crimes.”
This case underscores the ongoing challenges posed by organised crime and the necessity for robust international partnerships to address such issues effectively.