Man faces charges for operating five unlicensed massage parlours
A 26-year-old man was charged in court on Thursday (13 Aug) for allegedly operating unlicensed massage establishments.
He was also found to have been involved in other offences, including allegedly causing a fire and facilitating scam operations.
Ran five massage outlets without licences
In a news release, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said preliminary investigations found that the man had operated five massage outlets without valid licences.
Source: SeventyFour on Canva, for illustration purposes only.
The outlets were located at Little India, Beach Road, Macpherson Road, Serangoon Garden and Balestier Road.
May face up to S$10,000 fine and 2 years in jail
The man will be charged under Section 5(1) of the Massage Establishments Act 2017 for carrying on massage businesses without licences.
The offence is punishable by a fine of up to S$10,000, up to two years’ jail, or both.
Meanwhile, repeat offenders face up to S$20,000 in fines, five years’ imprisonment, or both.
Police said they conducted several enforcement operations on massage outlets islandwide between June and Dec 2025, which allowed them to uncover the alleged offences.
Dropped lit cigarette from building along Admiralty Street in 2021
Further investigations found that the man was also reportedly involved in two separate cases.
In Oct 2021, he purportedly dropped a lit cigarette from the fourth floor of a building along Admiralty Street, causing a fire.
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He will be charged for allegedly causing or contributing to the risk of a dangerous fire under Section 285(1)(c) of the Penal Code 1871.
Those convicted of this offence face up to 18 months in prison, a fine, or both.
Handed internet banking credentials to criminal syndicate in exchange for S$500
In another case in Sept 2024, police said the man reportedly handed over his bank account and online banking credentials to a criminal syndicate in exchange for S$500.
The account was later used to facilitate scam activities.
For this, he will face charges related to securing unauthorised access to computer material under Section 3(1) read with Section 12 of the Computer Misuse Act 1993.
First-time offenders face up to two years in prison, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both, while repeat offenders face a maximum fine of S$10,000, up to three years’ imprisonment, or both.
He will also be charged under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992 for allegedly facilitating the retention or control of another person’s benefits from criminal conduct.
The offence carries a maximum fine of S$50,000, up to three years’ imprisonment, or both upon conviction.
Authorities warn against operating businesses without valid licenses
The police said they will continue conducting enforcement checks on massage establishments and take action against businesses operating without valid licences.
They also warned members of the public against accepting offers that promise quick money in exchange for allowing others to use their Singpass accounts, bank accounts or personal details.
Individuals whose accounts are found to be used to facilitate scams or other crimes will be held responsible.
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Featured image adapted from SeventyFour on Canva, for illustration purposes only, and MS News.
