Federal prosecutors in Boston announced on Wednesday that three people have been arrested for allegedly operating a high-end brothel network in Massachusetts and Virginia. The operation was said to cater to a wealthy and well-connected clientele, including doctors, lawyers, executives, military officers, government contractors, professors, and scientists. The three individuals arrested are 30-year-old Junmyung Lee of Dedham, 41-year-old Han Lee of Cambridge, and 68-year-old James Lee of Torrance, California. They have been charged with conspiracy to coerce and entice others to travel for illegal sex activity.

The alleged sex ring operated through two websites that falsely advertised nude Asian models for professional photography. These websites served as a front for prostitution, attracting primarily Asian women to travel to Massachusetts and Virginia to work as prostitutes. The three individuals rented high-end apartments in Cambridge, Dedham, Watertown, and eastern Virginia, using them as brothels. Some of these apartments had monthly rents as high as $3,664. Clients paid between $350 and $600 per hour for appointments, and all payments were made in cash.

To book appointments, clients had to provide their name, work information, email address, phone number, and a reference. Once at the brothel, clients were presented with a “menu” of options. Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy stated that the business was booming until the arrests were made.

While the names of the clients have not been released, Levy emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing and that they are committed to holding both the operators and clients accountable. It is believed that there could be hundreds of clients, including government contractors with security clearances, doctors, lawyers, elected officials, military officers, professors, and executives at tech companies.

If convicted, each of the three individuals arrested could face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. The investigation is being conducted by federal authorities, and anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.

In addition to the arrests, the Justice Department also seized the domains for the two websites associated with the prostitution ring. The authorities executed search warrants at various locations in Massachusetts, Virginia, and California on Wednesday, gathering more evidence related to the case. Levy stated that the probe is in its early stages, indicating that there may be further developments in the future.