The Dubai Police have arrested more than 800 people for offering illegal massage services in Dubai. Police have seized a whopping 5.9 million business cards that advertise illegal massage services.
A top official said 870 people have been arrested for offering the illegal service in 2021 and the first three months of 2022. Of these, 588 were charged for violating public morals and 309 for printing and distributing the cards, Khaleej Times reported on Monday.
The police helped disconnect 919 phone numbers found on these cards.
The force has warned residents against seeking services from these centres. Doing so poses “serious threats”, including extortion bids.
Such centres are a front for illegal and criminal activities, according to Brigadier Abdullah Khadem Suroor Al Maasem, director of the Bur Dubai Police Station and chairman of the Board of Directors of Police Stations.
“Unlicensed massage centres deceive victims through fake social media accounts. Once the victim arrives, they find themselves surrounded by a group of people who drag them to an apartment and tie them up to take indecent pictures (which are later used) for blackmail,” the officer said.
