SINGAPORE – Police officers swooped in on a hotel at Jalan Besar road on Tuesday (May 17), arresting 24 foreigners – 23 women and a man, for suspected involvement in vice-related activities.

The suspects, aged between 20 and 33 were found to have made use of their stay in Singapore on valid social visit passes to offer sexual services.

According to a statement from the Singapore Police Force, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects have been advertising their sexual services on different online platforms and vice websites.

Potential customers could book their services via mobile phone numbers or email addresses provided on these websites.

During the raid by officers from Central Division and the Criminal Investigation Department, condoms and lubricants were seized as case exhibits.

According to the statement, it is an offence to be the tenant, lessee, occupier or person in charge of a brothel under Section 148 of the Women’s Charter.

If convicted, the person may be fined up to $10,000, or be jailed up to five years, or both.

In addition, any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person, for example, receiving rental earnings from the prostitutes, faces a jail term ofo up to five years and a fine of up to $10,000.

The police warns that those who engage in such activities will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.

candicec@sph.com.sg