Singapore police have arrested eight men and one woman for the suspected sexual exploitation of two minors. According to a police statement issued Aug 2, the suspects, aged 20 to 41, are scheduled to be charged in court on Aug 3. The two victims were under 18 years old when the offences occurred.
Specialised Crime Branch Investigation and Charges
Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department’s Specialised Crime Branch conducted the arrests following an investigation. A preliminary probe alleged that a 20-year-old female suspect recruited one victim and exploited both by facilitating commercial sexual services for profit.
The woman faces charges of trafficking for the purpose of exploitation and knowingly receiving payments linked to a trafficked victim. She also faces charges for cheating and facilitating commercial sexual services.
Did You Know? The 20-year-old female suspect is alleged to have both recruited one of the victims and facilitated commercial sexual services for both minors to profit from the arrangements.
Penalties for Trafficking and Exploitation
If convicted of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring, or receiving a person for exploitation, the woman faces up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000. The same maximum penalties apply for receiving payments connected to the exploitation of a trafficked victim.
Additionally, living on the earnings of another person’s prostitution could result in a fine of up to $100,000 and up to seven years in prison, according to police details.
Charges Against the Eight Male Suspects
Follow-up investigations led authorities to identify eight men who allegedly obtained commercial sexual services from one of the victims. Each man will be charged with obtaining commercial sex with a minor under 18.
Three of these men face additional charges for possessing obscene films. Convictions for obtaining sexual services from a person under 18 carry a potential sentence of up to seven years in jail, a fine, or both. Possession of obscene films may result in a fine of up to $20,000, up to six months in jail, or both.
Police warned that they “will spare no effort to investigate, and bring to justice those who recruit, exploit or profit from the exploitation of minors, as well as those who obtain the commercial sexual services of minors.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the suspects be charged?
The suspects are set to be charged in court on Aug 3.
What are the maximum penalties for the trafficking charges?
The female suspect faces up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000 for recruiting, transporting, transferring, harbouring, or receiving a person for exploitation, as well as for receiving payments related to a trafficked victim.
What additional charges do some of the men face?
Three of the eight men face additional charges for possessing obscene films.
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