Massage parlours offering 'special services' pop up along River Valley Road soon after police raid

Several massage parlours offering "special services" have allegedly popped up along River Valley Road and Mohamed Sultan Road.

The police have raided and shut down the establishments, but they quickly reopen afterwards.

Shin Min Daily News (Shin Min) reported that a total of six massage parlours were found in the area (within 50m distance), with four of them suspected of providing sexual services.

An anonymous source claimed that two of the parlours belong to the same owner.

Investigation

According to Shin Min, the masseuses at two of the establishments appeared to be very cautious, preferring not to discuss services at the counter.

The Shin Min reporter was told to fill out a form with their name and IC number as part of police regulations.

However, once they entered the parlour, the masseuse said that "special services" were offered.

Halfway through the massage, the reporter was asked if they wanted a "prostate massage", priced between S$50 and S$100.

When they declined, the masseuse said that she would only receive S$10 in commissions from a regular massage, and that her pay would be docked if she did not meet the monthly target.

She also revealed that other masseuses work in the shop, and unless there is a special appointment, they are assigned walk-in customers on a rotating basis.

"Sometimes we only get one customer a day. We have no choice but to take this risk."

Business models

When the reporter visited one massage parlour, they were quoted a price of S$150, with regular massage fees added on top.

The reporter remarked that it was expensive and that they intended to inquire at another parlour, but was told that prices at both were the same.

Business owners in the vicinity corroborated Shin Min's findings that two of the massage parlours belonged to the same owner.

One of them was raided twice, in May and July 2026, but the business' licensee was changed afterwards and the parlour continued to operate.

A source claimed that these parlours are open 24 hours a day, but the masseuses rarely stand outside to solicit customers.

Instead, they promote their services online.

According to Shin Min, some of the parlours were found to be advertising themselves on Telegram groups, attaching photos of scantily clad women.

Legitimate ones unbothered

One of the legitimate massage parlours in the area told Shin Min that they were not concerned about the presence of those establishments, which have been increasingly popping up since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Having operated for more than 10 years, the owner said that they served a "different customer base".

"Most of my customers are local residents and regulars, and they know that we are legitimate," she said.

"I posted notices to declare that sexual services are prohibited here, and if anyone comes in inquiring about such services, I will show them the notice and they will leave."