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Two undercover stings net four prostitution arrests in Philly

Four women were arrested in two separate prostitution stings by underover Philadelphia police officers, including at a Center City "spa" and from a "backpage ad."

Kyung Ok Seo, 39
Kyung Ok Seo, 39Read more

Four women were arrested in two separate prostitution stings by underover Philadelphia police officers, including at a Center City "spa" and from a "backpage ad."

Three women were arrested inside Pink Spa at 1207 Race Street when officers responded to complaints of possible prostitution and an illegal massage operation, police said. Myong Ja Kim, 71, of New York City, Kyung Ok Seo, 39, of Flushing, Queens, New York, and Shun-Jin Cui, 44, of the 1200 block of Race Street, were charged with prostitution.

An officer entered the business as a "decoy" Wednesday and was met by Kim, who took him to a room and asked who he wanted, police said. Moments later, Seo entered the room, told the undercover cop to disrobe and then escorted him to a washroom, police said. Kim came back in and allegedly made a deal with the cop that swapped sex for money. Cui allegedly entered the room at about that time and also offered sex for an additional fee. Backup officers arrived and arrested all three women.

On the same day, the Philadelphia police Citywide Vice Unit also investigated a "backpage ad" soliciting money for massages. An undercover called the phone number listed in the advertisement and a woman who identified herself as Kendra scheduled an appointment at an address in the 1400 block of Snyder Avenue, police said. Upon arriving, the "decoy" officer was allegedly offered oral sex for $200. Backup officers arrived and arrested Louise Woodward, 25, of the same address, on a prostitution charge.