12 women, 1 man arrested for vice-related activities in Kovan, Sembawang and Yishun

Police raided five residential units in Kovan, Sembawang and Yishun last month.

SINGAPORE - Police have arrested 12 women and a man for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities in residential areas.

The suspects, aged between 23 and 46, were nabbed last month when officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division raided five residential units in the Kovan, Sembawang and Yishun areas.

Cash amounting to $1,560, mobile phones and other related documents were seized during the raids.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the 12 women were believed to have advertised sexual services via online websites.

The man was arrested as he is believed to have assisted in the management of the vice activities in one of the residential units.

Investigations will also be carried out against the home owners, police added.

Those found guilty of being the tenant, lessee or occupier in charge of a brothel can be fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed for up to five years.

Any person convicted of receiving earnings from prostitutes can be fined up to $10,000 and/or jailed for up to five years.

Police stressed that they will spare no effort in clamping down on online vice activities, especially those operating in the heartland.

They also advised house owners to be diligent in ensuring that their tenants do not carry out vice activities in their units.

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