By 
Anna Pelizzari
Eric Ward, November 21, 2017
Singaporean authorities have charged five individuals for allegedly operating illegal brothels and unlicensed payment services following nationwide raids. The case has raised concerns about the country’s stance on sex work and the legal protections available to those in the industry.
In a significant crackdown on vice-related activities, Singaporean authorities have charged five individuals (four men and one woman) on May 6th, 2025, for allegedly managing illegal brothels and providing unlicensed payment services. These charges follow coordinated raids conducted in October 2024 across multiple locations, including Geylang Road, Jurong West Street 64 and Upper Serangoon Road. During these operations, 20 suspects were apprehended, and items such as over S$6,100 in cash, mobile phones, controlled drugs, and vice-related paraphernalia were seized.
The five individuals charged include a 40-year-old man accused of managing brothels, harbouring sex workers, promoting their services online, and profiting from their earnings. A 36-year-old man is alleged to have encouraged others to commit fraud by renting out properties to be used as brothels and allowing a third-party bank account to be used for processing payments related to prostitution. Two men, aged 44 and 61, along with a 56-year-old woman, reportedly permitted their premises to be used for vice activities. In a related case, two men and a woman aged between 33 and 39 face charges under the Women’s Charter for allegedly helping run an online prostitution syndicate.
Singapore’s legal framework embodies a complex stance on sex work. While prostitution itself is not illegal, activities associated with it, such as public solicitation, living off the earnings of a prostitute, and maintaining a brothel, are considered criminal offences. In practice, authorities unofficially tolerate and monitor a limited number of licensed brothels, where sex workers are required to undergo regular health checks and carry a health card. However, this dual approach has led to concerns about the rights and protections afforded to sex workers, especially those operating outside the licensed framework. These issues highlight the need for a more human rights-based approach to sex work in Singapore.
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