155 arrested during raids against vice activities in condos, hotels and flats

One man and 154 women were nabbed for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities during a 21-day enforcement operation that ended on May 12.

The suspects are aged between 19 and 49, said the police in a statement on Thursday (May 16).

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and seven Police Land Divisions had conducted coordinated raids targeting online vice syndicates at multiple locations islandwide.

These included condominiums, hotels and residential units in Geylang, Woodlands, Yishun, Jurong West, Hougang and Balestier Road.

Investigations are ongoing.

"The police will continue to work with members of the public on information related to vice activities and will take tough enforcement action against those involved in such activities," added the statement.

The police also reminded house owners to conduct regular checks on their tenants to prevent vice activities from proliferating in residential estates.

House owners who knowingly rent their premises to any person for vice-related activities will be prosecuted and face a jail term of up to three years and/or a fine of up to $3,000.

In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, they will be fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed up to five years.

Housing Board flats are meant for residential purposes, and the use of flats for vice activities is strictly prohibited, said the police.

HDB takes a serious view on the misuse of HDB flats and will not hesitate to take appropriate actions against flat owners who are found to be involved in the misuse. This includes imposing a financial penalty, or compulsory acquisition of the flat.

Tenants who are found to be involved in the misuse of the flat will also not be allowed to rent an HDB flat for five years.

Any person who knowingly solicits, receives or agrees to receive any gratification as an inducement or reward for providing any service, and who by providing that service does or will aid the prostitution of another person (being a woman or girl), shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be punished with a jail term of up to five years and a fine not exceeding $10,000.

Any man convicted of a second or subsequent offence may also face caning in addition to jail.

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