Suffolk women charged with prostitution, illegal massage

Five women at Lindenhurst and Hauppauge massage parlors were arrested and charged with prostitution Friday, according to Suffolk County police.

The arrests were part of an investigation into the activities at the parlors, police said.

Two of the women, Karla Melgar, 34, and Yanina Scaffini, 33, both of Hicksville, were arrested at Massage Therapy Group, 101 N. Wellwood Ave., Suite 5, in Lindenhurst, police said.

Melgar was charged with two counts of prostitution and one count of promoting prostitution. Scaffini was charged with two counts of prostitution.

In Hauppauge, three women were arrested at Relax Center, 656A Motor Pky. Ping Lu, 44, Hui Jie Dou, 52, and Ying Hui Hang, 45, all of Flushing, were charged with two counts of prostitution, police said.

Dou and Hui Hang were also charged with unauthorized practice of a profession after police said they performed massages without a required New York State license.

Massage tables, assorted body oils, lotions, towels, bedding, a computer and cash were seized from both locations.

All women were held overnight and scheduled to be arraigned Saturday in First District Court in Central Islip.