On 1 April 2010, a joint operation involving officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and Ang Mo Kio Police Division was conducted at two budget hotels located at Kovan.

The operation led to the arrest of 12 female Chinese nationals in the hotel rooms for vice-related offences under the Women’s Charter. Police investigations showed that some of the arrested subjects had made use of the Internet to advertise their sexual services. Investigations are ongoing against the arrested persons.

Assistant Director of the Specialised Crime Division, Superintendent of Police Goh Lam Kiong, said, “We take a serious view against such syndicates which conduct their illicit businesses over the Internet. Hotel operators who are found to have knowingly allowed the syndicates to operate in their premises will also be taken to task. We will continue with our enforcement efforts against such vice activities.”

Under the Women’s Charter, any person who lives on the earnings of the prostitution of another person shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000. Any repeat male offender is also liable to caning.