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.
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:
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:
Source: Singapore Police Force
16 of those arrested are suspected of being vice abettors, SPF noted.
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.
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:
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.
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
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Featured image adapted from Singapore Police Force.