Eight youths between the ages of 16 and 21 are being investigated for their suspected involvement in sexual services scams.

According to the Singapore Police Force, multiple reports were made between Jan. 21 and Apr. 24 by people claiming to have fallen afoul of the scams.

The victims were purportedly tricked into making payments after responding to online advertisements for sexual services.

Investigations by officers from the Woodlands Police Division established the identities of the youths suspected to be connected to at least five cases of scams involving more than S$700.

If found guilty of cheating, an offender could face a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine. The offence of money laundering carries a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to S$500,000, or both.

Police investigations are ongoing.

More information on scams can be found here.

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Top image by Niu Niu and Zachary Keimig via Unsplash