Singapore police uncover sexual exploitation of two minors, eight men and one woman to face charges

SINGAPORE, Aug 2 — A 20-year-old woman allegedly recruited and exploited two children below age 18 for commercial sex, while eight men are accused of obtaining sexual services from one of the victims.

The nine suspects, aged between 20 and 41, are due to be charged in court tomorrow, The Straits Times reported.

Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department’s Specialised Crime Branch arrested the suspects following investigations into the case.

According to the news report, initial investigations found that the woman allegedly facilitated commercial sexual services involving both victims and profited from the arrangements.

She is also believed to have recruited one of the minors for exploitation.

Follow-up investigations led police to identify eight men who allegedly obtained commercial sexual services from one of the minors.

The woman will be charged with trafficking for the purpose of exploitation and knowingly receiving payments linked to the exploitation of a trafficked victim.

She will also face additional charges related to facilitating commercial sexual services and cheating.

If convicted of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring or receiving a person for exploitation, she faces a fine of up to S$100,000 (RM330,000) and up to 10 years’ jail.

The same maximum penalties apply if she is convicted of receiving payment linked to the exploitation of a trafficked victim.

If convicted of living on the earnings of another person’s prostitution, she could face a fine of up to S$100,000 (RM330,000) and up to seven years’ jail.

Each of the eight men will be charged with obtaining commercial sexual services from a person below 18.

Three of the men will also face additional charges for possessing obscene films.

If convicted of obtaining sexual services from a person below 18, the men could each face up to seven years’ jail, a fine, or both.

Those convicted of possessing obscene films face a fine of up to S$20,000 (RM66,000), up to six months’ jail, or both.

Singapore police said they would pursue those who recruit, exploit or profit from the exploitation of minors, as well as individuals who obtain commercial sexual services from them.