1-12-2023 (SINGAPORE) A Singaporean teenager has pleaded guilty to charges involving the exploitation of two underage girls, whom he advertised as social escorts on a Telegram chat group. The victims, aged 16 and 17 at the time, engaged in paid sexual services arranged by the teen. On November 30, the 17-year-old admitted to six charges, including offenses under the Women’s Charter and the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act.
The court documents refer to the victims as V1 and V2, providing them anonymity through a gag order. The teen, who became acquainted with V1 through a mutual friend, exploited her financial needs, suggesting a “high-paying” job that involved providing sexual services. The victims were promised earnings of up to $500 per booking, with the teen receiving a $100 commission for each transaction.
Despite knowing V1’s age of 16, the teen falsely claimed in advertisements on the chat group that she was a 17-year-old social escort. The teen facilitated at least five customers for V1, some of whom engaged in paid sexual intercourse with her.
In January 2023, V1 introduced V2 to the teen, expressing a similar interest in providing sexual services for financial gain. By this time, the teen had assumed the role of administrator for the Telegram chat group, advertising and arranging customers for V2 as well. A 34-year-old customer, identified as Muhamad Reduan, later reported the incident to the police, claiming he had been scammed.
Upon police intervention, the teen attempted to obstruct justice by changing the chat group title, logging out of his Telegram account, and deleting chats with customers on his digital devices. He now faces additional charges related to obstructing the course of justice.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Tay Jia En highlighted the vulnerability of the victims and accused the teen of exploiting them without remorse. DPP Tay urged a reformative training suitability report, considering it a necessary rehabilitative sentence given the sustained pattern of criminal conduct.
Reformative training is a more severe form of punishment than probation, leading to a criminal record. The sentencing decision is pending, with the court calling for both reformative training and probation suitability reports. The teen is expected to return to court in December for sentencing.
