14 arrested for suspected involvement in vice-related activities after police raids on hotels, residences

Source: CNA

SINGAPORE: Fourteen people have been arrested for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities, the police said on Sunday (Apr 28).

The suspects aged between 22 and 59 were rounded up during police raids on hotels and residential units in the Bras Basah Road, Havelock Road, Shanghai Road and Orchard Road areas.

During the operation between Apr 24 and Apr 25, cash of about S$40,000 (US$29,360), mobile phones and other vice-related paraphernalia were seized.

A 59-year-old man who allegedly facilitated the operation of an online vice syndicate will be charged in court on Monday for his suspected involvement in knowingly receiving any gratification as a reward for providing services that will aid the prostitution of any person.

Investigations against the 13 women and the vice syndicate are ongoing, said the police.

The police added that they will continue to take tough enforcement action against those involved in syndicated vice activities.

Those found guilty of knowingly soliciting, receiving or agreeing 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, faces a jail term of up to seven years and a fine of up to S$100,000.

A person - whether in or outside Singapore - who uses a remote communication service with a Singapore link that offers or facilitates the provision of sexual services by a woman or girl in Singapore in return for payment or reward faces a fine not exceeding S$100,000, up to five years in jail, or both.