Three women arrested for alleged involvement in prostitution syndicate which operated on Telegram
42-year-old woman believed to be syndicate leader, while the other two are allegedly vice workers of the syndicate
SINGAPORE — Three women, aged between 23 and 42, have been arrested for alleged involvement in prostitution activities.
The 42-year-old woman is also believed to be the leader of an online syndicate which allegedly operated through the Telegram online messaging service. The other two women were allegedly vice workers of the syndicate.
The Singapore Police Force (SPF) said in a news release on Thursday (18 April) that the three women were arrested after raids were conducted by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers around Lavender Road and Alexandra Road on Wednesday.
The 42-year-old woman will be charged in court under the Women’s Charter 1961. Investigations against the other two women are ongoing.
Charges for prostitution activities
Any person found guilty of arranging for a woman or girl to engage in sexual activity outside of marriage either in or outside of Singapore, or for prostitution, could face a maximum jail term of seven years, and a maximum fine of S$100,000.
Those found guilty of the offence of living off wholly or in part from earnings of the prostitution of another person could face a maximum jail term of seven years, and a fine not exceeding S$100,000.
Additionally, anyone found guilty of using a remote communication service to offer or facilitate sexual services by a woman or girl in Singapore for payment or reward, could face a fine not exceeding S$100,000 and/or imprisonment for up to five years.
Police warns vice operators to 'think twice'
The police said it has zero tolerance for those found engaging in such activities, and will spare no effort to ensure that they are dealt with severely to the fullest extent of the law. It added that it will continue to take tough enforcement action against those involved in syndicated vice activities.
“Vice operators who think that they can hide behind the anonymity offered by remote communication services, should think twice," said CID deputy director, Yeo Yee Chuan.
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