Online advertisements from shady massage parlours reportedly sprouted up online this month, claiming to accept CDC vouchers which are meant to help cushion the effects of inflation. Some of these ads offering dubious services including "hot oil prostate treatment" have popped up on public group chats on Telegram, and Facebook pages and groups.
Three such posts were seen by AsiaOne, which contacted the massage parlours. When asked about their "special services", these parlours denied offering them. An employee at one parlour, located in Jurong East, told AsiaOne that they do accept CDC vouchers at the establishment but did not elaborate on how many customers used the vouchers there. Today had reported that when one of their reporters patronised two massage establishments which accepted CDC vouchers earlier this month, he was offered "special services" of a sexual nature midway through the regular massage.
The reporter declined the offer and left after the regular massage was done, paying in cash. He then subsequently filed two police reports and notified the CDC that same day, Today said.
Responding to Today's queries on whether the CDC conducts checks on these establishments, the council said that it guides merchants on the scheme and its terms and conditions before it onboards those that are eligible.
Some of the current terms and conditions for the vouchers listed on the CDC website say that they are "not valid for purchase of lottery products, petrol, diesel, alcohol or cigarettes". The January CDC vouchers will be disbursed to about 1. Screengrabs of Facebook posts advertising massage services claiming to accept CDC vouchers as payment. An employee at a massage parlour in Hougang gave a similar answer. More than , households have claimed their vouchers as of Jan 3.
