Seven sentenced for operating sex-oriented website
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	Seven people who had been involved in operating a sex-oriented website have been sentenced in District Court today (May 15) ranging from 180 hours of community service order to 18 months' imprisonment.

	The District Court heard that a syndicate had been operating a sex-oriented website in Yau Tsim District since 
2000 and advertisements involving about 600 sex workers were regularly posted on the website. 

	In mid 2005, officers of Yau Tsim District Crime Headquarters launched an operation codenamed Steelmarker targeting at the syndicate. 

On May 16, 2006, police officers raided two locations in the district and arrested seven men aged between 30 and 49 for conspiracy to live on the earnings of prostitution of others.  

A large quantity of exhibits including computers, cameras and photos were seized at the premises. Police investigations revealed that the illegal activities had generated an annual average income of over $4 million.

The defendants were subsequently charged and convicted. The 49-year-old man was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment and the rest to 180 hours of community service order plus a fine of $20,000 each.

Police Report No.6
Issued by PPRB
End/Thursday, May 15, 2008
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