SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Two women have been arrested after police say they were running a prostitution operation out of a spa in Scranton’s north side.
It all started on December 12 when county detectives say they received a tip about a website that is frequently used to promote prostitution services.
Detectives set up an undercover sting at Harmony Spa, located at 2521 North Main Avenue where the agent called the number listed on the website and arranged an appointment for services.
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When the undercover agent arrived, they were met by Qiuyu Woo, 67, of Flushing, New York, who led them into a room and agreed to provide the agent with a massage and sexual services in exchange for $40.00, according to court documents. Police say she began the massage and then subsequently performed a sexual act on the undercover agent.
Qiuyu Woo, 67 (left) and So Yun Hwang, 69 (right) were arrested on charges of promoting prostitution.
Investigators then entered the business and detained Woo and another woman, 69-year-old So Yun Hwang, Scranton,. Both agreed to speak with investigators and Woo admitted to seeing approximately three customers per day, and providing sexual services for one or two of them police said. Police also said Hwang admitted to answering the phone call, arranged the appointment, and acknowledged her role as manager of the business.
When investigators searched the property, they say they found a wooden crate covered with pillows and blankets, a large quantity of food and several thousand dollars in cash.
Lackawanna County detectives arrested Hwang and Woo on charges of promoting prostitution and other related charges.
