20 arrested, linked to Southeast Asian vice ring
Police said on Tuesday 20 people were arrested in a recent crackdown on a transnational prostitution ring. The syndicate, active in Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan, allegedly trafficked women from Southeast Asia to Hong Kong and controlled them for prostitution. Investigations showed that core members of the prostitution ring included Southeast Asians who had resided in the SAR for many years and used…
According to police, 20 individuals were arrested in a recent operation targeting a transnational prostitution ring operating in Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan. The syndicate allegedly trafficked women from Southeast Asia and forced them into prostitution in Hong Kong. Senior Inspector Lam Wa-yan revealed that core members of the ring, who had lived in Hong Kong for years, recruited the women using their language skills and personal networks.
The women were required to work for free, with the syndicate providing them with travel expenses and accommodations. Upon completion of their unpaid service period, the women earned income through prostitution, which was split 50:50 with the syndicate. The suspects, comprising a man and 19 women aged between 20 and 86, were arrested on charges of various offenses including human trafficking, controlling persons for the purpose of prostitution, running a vice establishment, living on the earnings of others, and money laundering.
Two core members were charged and appeared in court, while 16 others will appear on Wednesday for suspected breach of their stay conditions. Two others will be released on bail. Police seized approximately HK$100,000 in cash and froze over HK$10 million in suspected crime proceeds, and have not ruled out making additional arrests.
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