New scams uncovered to sneak Indonesian prostitutes into

New scams uncovered to sneak Indonesian prostitutes into
Singapore

New scams used by pimps have been uncovered to sneak women
from Indonesia's Batam island into Singapore to work as
prostitutes, a news report said on Friday.

The most common ruses are fake marriage documents, forged
doctor's referral letters and posing as tourists, The Straits
Times revealed.

With fake marriage papers, a Singaporean man and a Batam woman
pass themselves off as a married couple. A 42-year-old man was
nabbed with 23 so-called marriages to his name.

The forged physician referral letters claim that the women
need to visit Singapore for medical treatments including
surgeries.

Those posing as tourists produce at least 500 Singapore
dollars (US$295) as proof to immigration authorities that they
want to visit or see relatives.

The women are often older than and less attractive than
prostitutes at home, said Batam social worker Martje-Rogi.

"They are not sellable in Batam, so they try their luck in
Singapore," she was quoted as saying.

Hundreds of men primarily from Singapore travel to the nearby
island on weekends for sex, often with girls in their early
teens.

The latest tactics by trafficking syndicates follow a vice
crackdown by Singapore police, Commissioner Bonny Djianto, chief
of the Batam police station, told the newspaper.

Syndicates usually consist of a Singaporean chief, an
Indonesian agent who procures the prostitutes and their fake
documents, and a Singaporean runner who accompanies the women.

A suspect arrested for his alleged role in one of the
syndicates estimates that there are 10 to 15 Singaporean
syndicate chiefs and 20 to 30 minders who help run the sex trade
into the city-state. -- DPA