187 women & 8 men arrested for alleged involvement in vice activities, goods including S$150K in cash seized
A total of 195 people have been arrested during islandwide anti-vice raids conducted by the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
Among them was a 41-year-old Singaporean man charged with facilitating vice activities, said SPF in a news release sent to MS News on Sunday (8 Nov).
Source: Singapore Police Force on Facebook. Photo for illustration purposes only.
Anti-vice raids conducted from 14 Sept-30 Oct
The sweeping anti-vice raids were conducted over 1.5 months from 14 Sept to 30 Oct, SPF said.
They involved officers from the Specialised Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), supported by the seven police land divisions
61 locations across Singapore were raided, including:
- Massage establishments
- Public entertainment outlets
- Beauty salons
- Hotels
- Residential units
195 arrested for suspected vice activities, including 16 vice abettors
During the operation, eight men and 187 women — aged between 18 and 63 — were arrested for their alleged involvement in vice-related activities.
They are suspected of various offences under the:
- Women’s Charter 1961
- Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990
- Gambling Control Act 2022
- Penal Code 1871
Source: Singapore Police Force
16 of those arrested are suspected of being vice abettors, SPF noted.
S$150K cash seized, S$600K frozen in bank accounts
Several items were also seized during the raids.
Besides mobile phones, computers and vice-related paraphernalia, more than S$150,000 in cash was seized.
Source: Singapore Police Force
Bank accounts that contained more than S$600,000 were frozen.
S’porean man charged with facilitating vice activities, faces jail & fine
One of those arrested was a 41-year-old Singaporean man.
On 23 Oct, he was charged in court for involvement in facilitating vice activities under Section 146A(1)(b) of the Women’s Charter 1961.
Under Section 146A, it is an offence to use a remote communication service with a Singapore link in the course of business to offer or facilitate the provision by a woman or girl to another person of sexual services in Singapore in return for payment or reward.
Source: Singapore Police Force
Convicted offenders face up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to S$100,000. Repeat offenders face up to seven years in prison and/or a fine of up to S$150,000.
Under Sections 140(1)(b), 146(1) and 146(1A) of the same Act, it is an offence to:
- Procure any woman for the purpose of prostitution
- Knowingly live wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person
- Knowingly solicit, receive or agree to receive gratification for providing a service that will aid the prostitution of another person
Convicted offenders may be jailed for up to seven years and fined up to S$100,000. Repeat offenders may be jailed for up to 10 years and fined up to S$150,000.
Vice activities linked to other criminal acts
CID Director Julius Lim expressed his appreciation to all officers involved in the operations for their professionalism and close coordination.
Vice syndicates are “not simply a vice problem” as their activities are often linked to other forms of criminality, he said.
Thus, they pose broader threats to public safety and security, noted the Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, adding:
As these syndicates increasingly exploit technology and operate across borders, our enforcement efforts must keep pace, both at home and in coordination with foreign partners. We will continue to disrupt these syndicates and bring those responsible to justice.
Investigations against the other people arrested during the islandwide operation are ongoing.
Also read: 2 women arrested for suspected vice-related activities at massage parlour along Sims Ave
2 women arrested for suspected vice-related activities at massage parlour along Sims Ave
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from Singapore Police Force.
