S'porean man, 41, charged in court for allegedly facilitating vice activities, among 195 arrested

A 41-year-old Singaporean man was charged in court on Oct. 23 under Section 146A(1)(b) of the Women's Charter 1961 for his alleged involvement in facilitating vice activities.

He was among 195 people arrested by the Singapore Police Force, including eight men and 187 women, between 18 and 63 years old, for their alleged involvement in vice-related activities.

They were arrested for various alleged offences under the Women’s Charter 1961, Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990, Gambling Control Act 2022, and Penal Code 1871.

Among those arrested, 16 were alleged vice abettors, according to a Nov. 8 police news release.

Coordinated raids

Officers from the Specialised Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), supported by the seven Police Land Divisions, conducted coordinated raids at 61 locations islandwide.

This was done between Sep. 14 and Oct. 30, where locations included massage establishments, public entertainment outlets, beauty salons, hotels and residential units.

During the operations, mobile phones, computers, vice-related paraphernalia and cash amounting to more than S$150,000 were seized, the release stated.

In addition, bank accounts containing more than S$600,000 were frozen.

Investigations against other persons arrested during the islandwide operation are ongoing.

Penalties

Under Section 146A of the Women's Charter 1961, any person who is convicted of the following shall be liable to a fine of up to S$100,000 or up to five years' jail or to both.

The release stated that it is where the person, who, in the course of business, uses a remote communication service with a Singapore link to offer or facilitate the provision by a woman or girl to another person of sexual services in Singapore in return for payment or reward.

If convicted, repeat offenders are liable to a fine of up to S$150,000 or to jail for up to seven years or to both.

Under Sections 140(1)(b), 146(1) and 146(1A) of the same Act, any person who is convicted of the following is liable to up to seven years' jail and a fine of up to S$100,000.

This includes procuring any woman for the purpose of prostitution, knowingly living wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person.

It also includes knowingly soliciting, receiving or agreeing 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.

The release stated that if convicted, repeat offenders are liable to up to 10 years' jail and a fine of up to S$150,000.