The unsuspecting women, including schoolgirls, were filmed with secret cameras, and Joel Chew Weichen, 27, had collected the films for distribution.
Based on checks by The Straits Times, a worrying trend has emerged - the sale of such cameras is on the rise.On online shopping platform Lazada, which has more than 600,000 hidden camera products available, sales of such cameras have grown 1.5 times this year compared with last year. The cameras come disguised as clocks, pens and even smoke detectors.
A spokesman said spy pens, which can cost about $12, are the most popular. Spectacles with built-in cameras may cost about $85...
Chew, who was sentenced to six months in jail this month, was the first of five individuals to plead guilty to having the obscene films for distribution.
He was also part of groups that share and download such videos.
The victims were secretly filmed while in bathrooms in cafes, schools, offices, changing rooms of popular fashion outlets, and bathroom showers in private homes. more
Note: An on-line spycam detection training course is available to organizations and individuals.
