SINGAPORE - Twenty-four suspects, believed to be part of an online prostitution syndicate, have been arrested for their suspected involvement in online vice.

The syndicate had advertised sexual services online, preliminary investigations show. Six men and 18 women, aged between 19 and 64, were arrested during island-wide investigations on Tuesday conducted by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

The suspects were operating from Geylang, Hougang, Bishan and Jurong West. A number of computers, mobile phones and about $270,000 in cash were seized.

Four suspects - a 21-year-old woman and three men aged between 27 and 51 - will be charged on Thursday and if found guilty face a jail term of up to five years and a fine of up to $10,000.

Investigations against the remaining suspects are ongoing.

Superintendent Lawrence Eng, head of specialised crimes branch of the CID, said: "Online vice operators who assume that they can hide through the anonymity offered by the Internet to commit criminal offences should think twice."

"We will find them and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law."