Hong Kong police recently conducted a joint operation with authorities in Singapore, Japan, and Macau to arrest 65 individuals, including Japanese sex workers and porn stars, in connection with a cross-border vice syndicate. The operation targeted a criminal group that was suspected of controlling Japanese sex workers, including porn actresses, as well as another group linked to a local triad.
According to Chief Inspector Tang Hoi-tung of the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, the syndicate controlled by Hong Kong residents recruited Japanese sex workers to come to the city for prostitution. The group attracted attention by promoting Japanese porn actresses and arranging for their services in hotels in Hong Kong. Transactions reportedly ranged from thousands to several thousand Hong Kong dollars, with some porn actresses charging up to HK$150,000 for their services.
The syndicate’s partners in Japan recruited the women to come to Hong Kong, where local members would arrange their accommodations. The income generated from these activities would then be split equally between the sex workers and the group. Additionally, the group had reportedly sent Japanese sex workers to Singapore and Macau.
In a coordinated effort, Hong Kong police, along with authorities from Singapore, Japan, and Macau, targeted the group’s cross-border activities. Core members of the syndicate, as well as Japanese sex workers, were arrested on suspicion of offenses related to prostitution and money laundering.
Furthermore, the police uncovered that social media platforms were being used to arrange for sex workers from different countries to come to Hong Kong. While these platforms primarily engaged with regular customers, the police were able to conduct raids and arrest individuals suspected of running vice establishments and breaching stay conditions.
In a separate investigation, a vice syndicate backed by a local triad was discovered to have been operating for three months, renting over 20 premises in busy districts of Hong Kong. The syndicate’s monthly revenue reached HK$1.5 million, with transactions ranging from HK$500 to HK$2,000. Police arrested a total of 30 individuals in connection with this syndicate.
Chief Inspector Yam Suet-ying emphasized the seriousness of organized prostitution, highlighting the potential legal consequences for those involved. Living on the earnings of prostitution of others, keeping a vice establishment, and controlling persons for prostitution are offenses that carry significant jail time.
Yam noted that while vice syndicates have become more sophisticated, law enforcement remains committed to targeting their operations. The recent arrests demonstrate the ongoing efforts to combat illegal activities and uphold the law in Hong Kong.
