Ten Hong Kong women, aged between 20 and 40, were arrested on June 17 on charges of soliciting for immoral purposes, after they allegedly offered sexual services to clients in what were initially portrayed as “part-time girlfriend” or compensated dating arrangements.
Hong Kong police on Thursday announced an investigation into about 30 people, who were involved with posting messages on Facebook and Instagram over a three-week period to promote “part-time girlfriend” services. Once contacted, the posters would direct potential clients to the WeChat messaging platform for further discussion.
Police targeted 10 of the individuals, who had offered sexual services for HK$1,200 (US$154) to HK$4,000. Arrests were made last Saturday at sites in Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok by undercover policemen posing as clients as the additional services were about to provided.
Officers confiscated 10 mobile phones, 100 condoms, 10 bottles of lubricants and 11 pieces of lingerie during the operations.
Lau Hon-kwan, Acting Chief Inspector and Mong Kok District Operations Officer, said there was no evidence to suggest that the arrested individuals were controlled by a group as they were working independently.
At the same briefing, Yeung Nga-yee, a social worker with Hong Kong Playground Association, said that some of the women intended to offer only compensated dating services but were then “tempted” to provide sexual services. Yeung said parents should remain vigilant about their children’s activities.