Flesh trade flourishes on networking sites

Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are being used by escort services and call girls to connect with high-end clients in the NCR.

Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are being used by escort services and call girls to connect with high-end clients in the NCR.

Although the police had said they would monitor even social networking sites to curb proliferation of obscene content, such sites offer a convenient platform for those involved in flesh trade. According to experts, the police department does not have the manpower or expertise or wherewithal to monitor websites.

An investigation by HT has revealed that many escort services have opened their accounts on social networking sites to expand their business. Normally, escort services solicit business through newspaper advertisements. The advantage with the sites is that they can reach their target group without forking out even a single penny in terms of advertisement costs.

HT Image

For instance, Gurgaon Escorts, an escort service, has many followers on Facebook. It has given a contact person’s phone numbers so that clients can fix deals.

“We supply models, actress and high-profile women to clients within an hour in hotels in Mahipalpur, Delhi or Gurgaon,” claimed John of Gurgaon Escorts.
According to him, the “service charges” range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 5 lakh. John claimed that he “supplies” foreign nationals too.

To attract clients escort agencies have uploaded videos and slides of their girls.

According to a police official, those in the trade find it easy to open accounts on social networking sites rather than opening their own websites. Despite the fact that publishing obscene material or transmitting it in electronic form is punishable under Section 67 of the Indian IT Act-2000, it continues unabated.