The Singapore Police Force (SPF) together with the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) have carried out a joint operation to crack down on individuals involved with a transnational vice syndicate between October 22 and November 23, as shared in a report by Channel News Asia.
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A total of 83 hotspots in Singapore and in China were raided all at the same time. Twelve men and 173 women were held in Singapore for violations against the Women’s Charter. The rest of the suspects were arrested in China.
Police Cracks Down Transnational Vice Syndicate Ops, Hundreds Arrested in Singapore
Based on preliminary investigations, the vice syndicate operating in China had put up a website which advertised sexual services of Chinese women in Singapore.
The syndicate was also assumed to have snuck these women into Singapore, where they allegedly performed vice activities in private residences (apartments) and HDB flats in the heartlands, as per police investigation reports.
Almost SGD 70,000 cash was collected during the raid along with several mobile phones and laptops in Singapore, while nearly RMBS 420,000 cash was confiscated in China.
According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation & Intelligence) and concurrent director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Florence Chua, the success of the joint operation between Singapore and China was due to the close collaboration of the SPF and China’s MPS.
The police also cited the important role of property owners in the prevention of vice activities, and reminded them to keep regular watch on their tenants’ activities.
Those who knowingly rent out their property to any individual for activities propagating the influence of vices in the city will face jail time of up to three years and a fine of up to SGD 3,000.
Repeat offenders will be dealt with up to five years imprisonment and a maximum fine of SGD 10,000, the police warned.