Man, 26, to be charged for allegedly operating massage shops without valid licenses, causing a fire in unrelated incident

The police will be charging a 26-year-old man in court on Aug. 13, 2026 for his suspected involvement in operating massage establishments without valid licences, causing or contributing to the risk of a dangerous fire, and other alleged offences.

Allegedly operated 5 massage shops without valid licences

According to an Aug. 12 police news release, the police conducted several enforcement operations on massage outlets islandwide between June 2025 and December 2025.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the man had allegedly operated five massage outlets without valid licences at Little India, Beach Road, Macpherson Road, Serangoon Garden and Balestier Road.

Fire, other offences

Further investigations revealed that he was previously involved in two other separate cases.

In October 2021, he allegedly dropped a lit cigarette over the ledge from the fourth floor of a building along Admiralty Street, which subsequently caused a fire.

In September 2024, he allegedly relinquished his bank account and i-banking credentials to a criminal syndicate for S$500.

The release noted that his bank account was subsequently used to facilitate scam operations.

Offences

He will be charged for carrying on businesses of providing massage services in establishments for massage without licences under Section 5(1) of the Massage Establishments Act 2017.

The offence carries a fine of up to S$10,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both.

Repeat offenders are liable to a fine of up to S$20,000, a jail term of up to five years, or both.

The man will also be charged for causing or contributing to risk of dangerous fire under Section 285(1)(c) of the Penal Code 1871.

This offence carries a jail term which may extend to 18 months, a fine, or both.

In addition, the man will be charged for abetting to secure unauthorised access to computer material under Section 3(1) read with Section 12 of the Computer Misuse Act 1993.

This offence carries a fine not exceeding S$5,000, a jail term not exceeding two years, or both, for first-time offenders.

Repeat offenders are liable to a fine of up to S$10,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both.

He will also be charged for facilitating the retention or control of another person's benefits from criminal conduct under Section 55A(1)(a)(i) read with Section 55A(1)(b)(ii) of the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act 1992.

The offence carries a fine not exceeding S$50,000, a jail term not exceeding three years, or both.

Regular enforcement checks

The release noted that the police will continue to conduct regular enforcement checks on massage establishments and take firm action against those found to be operating without valid licences.

Members of the public are advised to reject seemingly attractive money-making opportunities promising fast and easy pay-outs.

This includes for the use of their Singpass accounts, bank accounts, or allowing their personal bank accounts to be to be used to receive and transfer funds for others.

Individuals found to be linked to such crimes will be held accountable, the release stated.