Online advertisements promoting sexual services at two massage parlours in Dubbo are drawing scrutiny from the local council. The establishments, Blissful Balance Massage and The Gem Aromatherapy Massage Shop, operated by Mei Foong Cheng, face potential official warnings for allegedly violating regulations regarding sexual services.
According to Sydney Criminal Lawyers, massage parlours are prohibited from offering or advertising sexual services. If a massage business engages in such activities, it is classified as a brothel and must obtain a specific license. A local resident, wishing to remain anonymous, reported to the Daily Liberal that they had seen explicit advertisements on a website linked to the massage parlours, promoting a variety of services that include general massages alongside sexual acts.
One advertisement, as reviewed by the Daily Liberal, described options available to clients, stating, “The options are endless, it all depends on how wonderful you imagine your time spent with me will be, as we get to know each other more intimately and happily.” Another advertisement presented the business as “a sanctuary where sophistication dances with sin,” inviting potential clients to indulge in fantasies.
The ads provided instructions for inquiries about additional services, suggesting clients inquire within the premises rather than at the front door. Specific details included the address at Shop 2, 107 Brisbane Street, Dubbo, and references to nearby businesses, indicating a strategic approach to marketing these services.
Text messages obtained by the Daily Liberal revealed conversations between the resident and the massage parlour staff, where the latter reportedly discussed the sexual acts offered and their associated prices. Additionally, images on Google posted by the owner illustrated the parlours and included directions to a backdoor entrance for client privacy.
In response to the allegations, the Dubbo Regional Council confirmed it had conducted inspections at the locations and communicated with the business owner. An email from the council stated, “Based on the information received and indicated when I spoke with you on September 22, 2023, the Council will be writing to the operator and requesting they desist using their premises for any unauthorized use.”
Steven Jennings, Director of Development and Environment at the council, emphasized that the council takes all complaints seriously and adheres to a formal process to ensure fairness and compliance with relevant legislation, including the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 and the Protection of the Environmental Operations Act, 1997. Jennings noted, “Council is unable to comment on individual cases due to privacy and ongoing assessment processes.”
Attempts by the Daily Liberal to reach Mei Foong Cheng for clarification on whether her business was offering sexual services were met with non-specific responses. Cheng referenced personal issues as the reason for the publicity surrounding her business, stating, “You can check our Google search results and see that both male and female customers have given us positive reviews.”
She added, “I will sell the business and leave Dubbo after a few months. If I need to do this sexual service, I don’t have to build my business this way.” The investigation into these massage parlours highlights ongoing concerns about compliance with local regulations and the impact of their operations on the community.
