LSN News › Singapore

World · Singapore Bureau

Man jailed, caned for trafficking Singapore woman into Dubai sex work

A court has convicted a man of human trafficking after he coerced a Singapore resident into sex work in the United Arab Emirates. The offender received a custodial sentence and corporal punishment.

LSN Singapore · 7 October 2026

Man jailed, caned for trafficking Singapore woman into Dubai sex work

Achraf Arjaouy was found guilty of human trafficking following a trial in which evidence showed he had exploited a Singapore-based woman by forcing her into sex work in Dubai. The conviction marks another case of transnational human trafficking networks targeting vulnerable individuals across the region.

The court imposed a jail term and caning on Arjaouy for his role in the trafficking scheme. The severity of the sentence reflects the gravity of human trafficking offences, which carry significant penalties under Singapore law designed to deter such exploitation.

Human trafficking remains a persistent concern across South and Southeast Asia, with criminal networks often targeting victims through deception and coercion for commercial sexual exploitation. Authorities in the region have intensified enforcement efforts to dismantle trafficking operations and protect vulnerable populations.

The case underscores the transnational nature of human trafficking, with perpetrators and victims often crossing multiple borders. Regional cooperation between law enforcement agencies has been crucial in identifying and prosecuting offenders involved in such criminal enterprises.