SINGAPORE — In a significant crackdown on online child sexual exploitation, the police have arrested 23 men aged between 22 and 61. The arrests were m
SINGAPORE — In a significant crackdown on online child sexual exploitation, the police have arrested 23 men aged between 22 and 61. The arrests were made during a five-week operation conducted by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, with raids carried out across multiple locations in Singapore, according to a news release from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on March 27.
During the operation, electronic devices such as computers, mobile phones, and hard disks were seized for further investigation. The men are suspected of possessing, distributing, and accessing child abuse material, as well as transmitting and possessing obscene material.
In addition to the 23 arrests, a 41-year-old man is also under investigation by the police. Some of the men have been referred to the Home Team Community Assistance and Referral Scheme (HT CARES), where social workers will assess their cases to determine if further intervention is needed.
SPF emphasized that it is a serious offence to possess or distribute child abuse material. Those convicted of possessing or accessing such material face up to five years in jail, fines, or caning. Distributing or selling child abuse material carries a harsher penalty of up to seven years’ imprisonment, along with fines or caning.
The police also warned that the possession and distribution of obscene materials is a criminal offence, with penalties including jail time, fines of up to S$20,000, or both. The authorities stressed their commitment to continuing tough enforcement actions against online child sexual exploitation, ensuring those engaged in such illegal activities are dealt with strictly under the law.
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