Ringleaders of high-end hotel vice syndicate in Wan Chai arrested
NOTE: article mentions: "sex workers remain in their rooms while their controllers act as go-betweens for customers to be sent to them via websites like sex.141"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ringleaders of high-end hotel vice syndicate in Wan Chai arrested
John Carney
Jun 24, 2011
scmp.com
Police have arrested nine people, including the two suspected ringleaders, in connection with a prostitution syndicate operating in five-star hotels in Wan Chai.
A woman who ran her own "room service," providing sheets and towels for the syndicate so as not to arouse the suspicion of hotel management, was also arrested.
The six-week police operation focused specifically on high-end Wan Chai hotels where sex workers remain in their rooms while their controllers act as go-betweens for customers to be sent to them via websites like sex.141.
Similar vice operations have been carried out in the past, but they have generally focused on arresting prostitutes working in the hotels. Here, the syndicate masterminds were the real target.
"What we did was build evidence we could use against the people who were controlling the girls and arrest them as well," said Chief Inspector Paul Edmiston, district operations officer for Wan Chai. "This is not the first time we have done this type of operation and we've been working very closely with hotels in Wan Chai. They will always inform us if they think people are acting suspiciously."
As the hotels participated fully in the operation, those involved were not named. The syndicate would legitimately book the hotel rooms, which means that the criminals perpetrating these crimes are not easy to catch.
"Hotel management is not happy that these activities are taking place on their premises. The hotels are not encouraging it," Edmiston said. "But a syndicate like this is pretty well organised. Sometimes the rooms are booked through a legitimate travel agent in China or through a number of travel agents. All their paperwork is in order."
The "room service" operation was key to the prostitution syndicate's plan. Every customer will have a shower, as will the woman, which means many towels are used daily. It's the same with sheets.
A person is then needed to go around regularly to the rooms being used, with new towels and sheets, so as not to draw any attention to what is going on.
The operation took place on Tuesday evening when officers of the special duty squad of the Wan Chai police district raided a flat in Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, where they arrested a 61-year-old man and his 56-year-old brother. A 43-year woman who is married to the 56-year-old was also arrested. It is believed the men were the syndicate masterminds, while the woman provided the "room service". They were arrested for control over persons for the purpose of unlawful sexual intercourse or prostitution.
Police also arrested six mainland women aged 19 to 32 at two hotels in Wan Chai. Two were illegal immigrants and the other four were two-way permit holders who were arrested for illegal immigration and breach of conditions of stay. All those arrested are in police custody. | |
