The shift of the world’s oldest profession to the online world has become a headache for the city police. From Twitter to Facebook and WhatsApp groups, advertisements from self-proclaimed escorts and ‘girlfriend’ services are plenty.
Unlike the conventional form where brothels can be identified and raided, running the sex trade in the virtual world – coupled with use of encryption services – has made it difficult for the police to track down the culprits.
The trade thrives despite the Union government, in June, ordering Internet Service Providers to ban 240 websites offering escort services – a garb for prostitution – on the recommendation of an expert committee under the ministry of home affairs.
Any number of advertisements and sites are being circulated through social media. A ‘short-time’ experience for Rs. 5,000, says an ad on Twitter. Another website offers the ‘girlfriend’ experience and comes replete with ‘testimonials’ of clients.
The Hindu got in touch with a man named Kartik who had advertised prominently on a local website – with pictures and multiple numbers. Kartik answered the call and, in short answers, directed this correspondent to a WhatsApp number.
The logic is simple: unlike SMSes, WhatsApp messages are now encrypted, making it nearly impossible for law enforcement agencies to track the contents.
Pictures of 10 foreign women in his list were sent. He demanded a price of Rs. 15,000 for the hour. “It is a fixed rate. These women have come to Bengaluru for this,” he said. The ‘transaction’ is completed by asking the client to come to a pre-designated point. If the client is ‘found’ to be genuine, the person is approached by the pimp.
Another person, going by the name Kishore, claimed to be able to provide 14 women. The cost is between Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 25,000 for ‘services’ ranging from accompanying the client for a drink at a pub to intercourse.
An indication of the ‘popularity’ of these services is the nightmarish experience of a J.P. Nagar resident whose number was posted on online groups by a vindictive food delivery man on July 8. Within a few hours, she received over 150 calls from 14 unique numbers.
Not easy to track
The City Crime Branch, which has set up teams to nab people posting such ads and monitor their social media activity, says they have had a few successes.
“We are aware of these sites and advertisements. We are trying to locate the advertiser through the numbers. But it is difficult to track them as (unlike conventional brothels) they do not have a fixed location. The only way is to trap them, which takes time,” says DCP (Crime) Kaushalendra Kumar.
