A 30-year-old woman claimed she turned to sex work after losing all trust in men, earning up to $30,000 a month. Her confession came to light following a major police sting that exposed an underground prostitution ring operating out of a Midtown Manhattan massage parlor.

The NYPD Vice Enforcement Division announced the successful bust of an illegal sex work operation running out of Serenity Touch Spa, located in the basement of the fictional Madison Crest Hotel on 341 West 49th Street, Manhattan. The sting followed weeks of covert surveillance and anonymous tips that pointed to illicit activity disguised as a wellness business.

Hidden Behind Glass Doors

Investigators discovered that Serenity Touch Spa had been operating since early 2022, under a legitimate business license registered to Tyler Phan (age 26, Queens). Although it marketed itself as a professional massage therapy center, police say the spa was a front for organized prostitution.

The daily operation was run by a small group:

Brian Nix (36, Bronx) supervised the female staff
Jason Cruz (40, Brooklyn) and Danny Lu (30, Flushing) managed evening shift bookings and monitored activity from 6 PM to 3 AM
Linda Vo (28, originally from Houston) handled all payments, including “tips” that were, in reality, payments for sex

The spa was designed for fast, discreet transactions. Rooms were equipped with see-through glass doors to allow easy visual checks, and workers were instructed to perform sex acts on the floor near the entrance to reduce suspicion during sudden inspections.

“Business” and Negotiation

When male clients arrived, they would first pay for a basic massage — priced between $80 and $120. If they indicated interest in sexual services, a direct negotiation would occur, with prices ranging from $100 to $150 per session. Arrangements were typically made via encrypted messages on WhatsApp or Telegram.

Payments were sent via mobile apps such as Cash App or Venmo, and after the session, Linda Vo would deduct a “massage fee” before handing over the remaining amount to the sex worker.

A Woman’s Perspective: “It’s the Only Thing That’s Worked”

One of the women detained during the raid — who asked to go by the name Michelle Tran — was among eight identified as providing sexual services. She told investigators she had worked at the spa for nearly a year, often serving multiple clients each evening.

“I got tired of being lied to, cheated on, ghosted,” Michelle said. “I just lost all faith in men. But they still want something from me — so I figured I might as well benefit from it.”

According to Michelle, she regularly earned between $6,000 and $8,000 per month. “It’s not glamorous, but it pays my bills and helps my mom. I don’t drink, I don’t do drugs. This is just business,” she added.

She insisted she wasn’t coerced into the work. “I came into this by choice, not because anyone forced me. I don’t see myself as a victim.”

The Bigger Picture in the U.S.

Sex work in America is a legal gray area. Though prostitution is illegal in most states, including New York, public opinion is evolving. Some cities have moved toward decriminalization or introduced programs that focus more on harm reduction than punishment.

Advocates argue that targeting sex workers through criminal crackdowns often causes more harm than good. “The people working in these places are usually just trying to survive,” said Vanessa Reed, a spokesperson for Decrim Now NYC. “We need to focus on giving them resources, not arrest records.”

Still, law enforcement contends that not all operations are as voluntary as they seem. “There’s always a risk of coercion, financial pressure, or exploitation,” said Detective Angela Morales, who led the operation. “When you look behind the curtain, many of these so-called ‘businesses’ are manipulating vulnerable people.”

The NYPD has charged Tyler Phan, Brian Nix, Jason Cruz, Danny Lu, and Linda Vo with promoting prostitution, operating an illegal business, and laundering illicit income. The women involved, including Michelle, were not charged and have been offered access to social services and legal support.

The spa has since been shut down, and the building’s hotel management claims to have had no knowledge of the activity.

As for Michelle, she remains uncertain about her future. “If this spa’s gone, maybe I’ll find another one in a different city,” she said. “It’s not ideal, but it’s the only thing that’s worked for me so far.”