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14 suspects arrested in a joint operation by SPF and MOM

Foreign manpower Work passes and permits
  1. 14 women, aged between 32 and 44, were arrested for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities and infringements under the Employment of the Foreign Manpower Act.
  2. In a joint operation mounted on 24 August 2017, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations island-wide including Jalan Besar, Selegie Road, Mackenzie Road, Serangoon Road, Woodlands, Ang Mo Kio and Jurong East, resulting in the arrests. During the operation, items including two mobile phones and one desktop computer were also seized as case exhibits.
  3. Investigations by both Police and MOM on all the suspects and their employers are ongoing.
  4. Under Section 146 (1) of the Women’s Charter, any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding S$10,000.
  5. MOM would like to remind all employers to make accurate, complete and truthful declarations to the Controller of Work Passes in the application of a work pass. Making false declarations is a serious offence. Upon conviction, employers can be fined up to $20,000 or jailed for up to two years or to both, per charge, under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA). MOM will also ban the employers from hiring foreigners. Individuals who abet the false declaration of the employer for the application of the work pass will similarly be taken to task.  If convicted, they may also face a fine of up to $20,000 or jailed for up to two years or to both, per charge, under the EFMA.
  6. Members of the public who have information on EFMA infringements such as false declarations in work pass applications, should report the matter to MOM at mom_fmmd@mom.gov.sg or call 6438 5122. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
  7. The authorities take a serious view on vice activities as well as infringements under the EFMA, and will not hesitate to take tough enforcement action against those pre-disposed to crime and illegal activities.