16 women arrested over links to prostitution ring

An anti-vice operation was conducted in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday, with police breaking up a network allegedly responsible for arranging Japanese adult video (AV) actresses to offer sexual services here.

Sixteen women allegedly charging up to HK$7,000 a session were arrested. The women, who include Japanese and mainlanders, are aged between 23 to 44 years.

In a joint operation with the Immigration Department, police raided several hotels in the area, arresting the women for overstaying their visas, failure to carry and produce a proof of identity, as well as establishing businesses as illegal immigrants.

Around HK$60,000 in cash, massage lotions and condoms were seized.

Among those arrested for breaching their condition of stay was a 27-year-old AV actress, Nakajima. She had supposedly started her career with the stage name "Aizawa" in 2018.

The AV producers that she worked for had employed other famous AV stars including Takagi Maria, Aoi Sola and Mitake Ryoko.

Through the help of "agents," Nakajima came to Hong Kong with a valid tourist visa and was arranged to work as a prostitute.

The prostitution ring's Telegram group used photos of Nakajima's works to advertise sexual services.

Hotel rooms were booked under her name and clients were arranged by the ring.

Clients were charged between HK$6,000 to HK$7,000 per session, with HK$4,000 of that lining the ring's pockets.

As Hong Kong's border control measures ease, more foreign women have immigrated to the city to supposedly engage in prostitution, some of whom are Japanese AV actresses. Police are still looking for those involved in sex trafficking.

According to the Immigration Ordinance, it is illegal for persons who land in Hong Kong to seek employment or establish businesses.

Violators face up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of HK$50,000.

Meanwhile, the maximum penalty for those who hire such persons face up to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of HK$500,000.