THE man allegedly behind an online vice ring that has made the headlines was already a successful businessman when he hit on the idea of branching out into pimping.
Sources close to the bachelor told The Straits Times that he was the boss of a successful online marketing and advertising firm.
The 39-year-old had founded the company, considered one of Singapore's more successful technology start-ups, in 2004. He later opened offices in Thailand and Malaysia and at least two other countries in Asia. Over the years, he had been invited to give talks on how businesses can market themselves online.
The company was the first of six that the serial-entrepreneur started over the years, said sources. The latest one, set up last year with two other partners, provides consultancy services relating to office facilities.
Said to be well-educated, the man had studied overseas and worked for multinational companies before becoming his own boss.
Yesterday, neighbours told The Straits Times that the bespectacled man usually pulled long days at work and would return home only after 10pm.
They described him as someone who is friendly and looks like a regular working professional.
He lives in a five-room flat with his parents. The family had moved into the flat in the West only two years ago, and used to live in a house nearby.
'He told me he works in Shenton Way, and I know he drives a Mercedes,' said a neighbour, who did not want to be named. 'He will smile when we meet, but we don't talk much.'
