Sex workers in Hyderabad solicit customers online

Sex workers reportedly luring customers online; According to the police, many people complained receiving random WhatsApp messages or SMSes from unknown numbers, offering ‘friendship chats’ or ‘fun video calls

Hyderabad: They have been operating for long under the cover of the dark, on the streets and in shady houses away from public glare. The lockdown, however, has hit the business of sex workers in the city, with many now testing different methods including online soliciting to get some business.

According to the police, many people have reported receiving random WhatsApp messages or SMSes from unknown numbers, offering ‘friendship chats’ or ‘fun video calls’. “I checked one such number and a man picked up the call. He offered a massage service through a woman during the morning relaxation hours at my place or asked me to come down to a location he would send the woman if I was interested,” a businessman from Basheerbagh said.

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The Rachakonda Police, in fact on Thursday nabbed three persons and rescued three women who were part of a sex racket. The police took up the operations following complaints from the public about it, officials said. One person from Musheerabad said he had checked classifieds website Locanto to purchase a motorbike when a stranger began sending him pictures of women. “The stranger sent me a message saying girls were available for fun and quoted a price too. I deleted the message and blocked the number,” he said.

According to the Rachakonda Police Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, there is no business happening for organised syndicates operating in and around the city. “That is why they have turned to online soliciting. If anyone receives information on such activities, they can forward it to the local police station or us. A complaint can also be lodged,” an official said.

People warned

The Cybercrime police meanwhile, have warned the public against falling prey to ‘sextoration’ rackets. “Some women send messages and ask men to join them for erotic chats. These are actually recorded and used for blackmail later,” said KVM Prasad, ACP (Cybercrime), Hyderabad.

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