Police dismantle massive sauna sex ring, arrest police officers in MOP790 million case

Police have dismantled a criminal syndicate that had been operating prostitution rings in Macau saunas for at least seven years, with the involvement of local police officers who allegedly accepted bribes totaling between MOP3 million and MOP3.4 million.

The case, announced by the Judiciary Police (PJ) on Friday, has been described as one of the largest and most severe prostitution rings uncovered in Macau in recent memory. 26 people were arrested, including three active-duty Public Security Police (PSP) officers and two retired Judiciary Police officers, and another 381 were summoned for questioning. The latter group comprised sex workers, clients, illegal workers, cross-border workers, and individuals who had overstayed their visas.

At a press conference, police revealed staggering illicit proceeds totaling more than MOP790 million across three revenue streams amounting to MOP230 million, MOP240 million, and MOP320 million, respectively, with approximately MOP50 million in criminal proceeds and assets confiscated.

According to case details disclosed by authorities, the women trafficked for sexual exploitation originated from Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, and other parts of Asia. Investigative findings revealed that the syndicate recruited prostitutes of various nationalities, providing them with both training and the tools of the trade, including sex toys and provocative uniforms. The gang operated under the guise of spa and massage services while, in reality, arranging for women to provide sexual services within sauna rooms.

Pricing was stratified based on workers’ nationality and services, ranging from MOP2,000 to MOP8,000 per session, with workers receiving MOP1,000 to MOP2,000, the Judiciary Police said. Police added that, to evade detection, the implicated active-duty and retired officers used secret communications and coded language to warn the syndicate whenever they received advance notice of inspections or cases involving the sauna parlors.

On a monthly basis, the syndicate used circuitous methods to deliver bribes and luxury goods to three active-duty PSP officers and two retired PJ officers. One active-duty officer allegedly received approximately MOP200,000 per month. The first sauna parlor paid no less than MOP300,000 monthly to law enforcement personnel and MOP150,000 to retired PJ officers. The second paid MOP100,000 and MOP150,000, respectively, while the third paid MOP70,000 to law enforcement personnel.

The PJ stated that intelligence was first received in 2019 indicating that a criminal gang was using sauna establishments as a front for prostitution. Subsequent investigations revealed three criminal organizations operating three sauna parlors across Macau and Taipa.

Law enforcement took action last Thursday, raiding 23 locations across Macau and Taipa. A mastermind and 20 core members were arrested, including syndicate members and implicated police officers caught exchanging bribe money. Three additional core members were arrested at the three sauna parlors, and two more were detained at five syndicate work sites.

Arrest footage showed suspects wearing black hoods, with their hands cuffed behind their backs, being escorted from PJ headquarters after the press conference and loaded into vehicles bound for the Public Prosecutions Office. The suspects face multiple charges, though human trafficking is not among them.

The identities of the individuals implicated in the case have become the subject of widespread online speculation, including unsubstantiated rumors suggesting the involvement of a senior police official. Members of the public have circulated comparisons between an older photograph and images of a suspect being escorted into a PJ vehicle en route to the Public Prosecutions Office. Authorities have thus far declined to comment on these claims.

Nevertheless, the Times learned from police and government sources on Saturday that the crackdown operation remained ongoing as of Friday night, continuing even after the press conference had concluded.