17 women arrested in Hougang and Sembawang for allegedly advertising sexual services online

17 women aged between 26 and 38 were arrested in Hougang and Sembawang for allegedly advertising sexual services online during raids conducted by police at eights residential units this month.

In a statement, the police said that cash amounting to about $8,400 and mobile phones were seized as case exhibits during the anti-vice operation.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were believed to have promoted their sexual services on the internet and operated within residential areas.

A man was also apprehended during the raids. It was established that he had allegedly visited one of the houses to collect rent from two of the female suspects.

Investigations will also be carried out against the house owners.

The police have reiterated that they will spare no effort in clamping down on online vice activities and would like to advise house owners to exercise due diligence in ensuring that their tenants do not carry out vice activities in their units.

Any person who contravenes the offence of being the tenant, lessee or occupier or person in charge of a brothel and the offence of keeping, managing or assisting in the management of a brothel under Section 148 of the Women’s Charter, Chapter 353, are liable on conviction to a fine of up to a maximum of $10,000, or to imprisonment of up to five years, or both. 

In addition, any person who contravenes the offence of knowingly living wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person, e.g. receiving rental earnings from the prostitutes, is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding S$10,000.