Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Call-girls turn trade into hi-tech business

Call-girls turn trade into hi-tech business
The Times of India

MANU AIYAPPA
8 Aug, 2006 2321hrs IST TIMES NEWS NETWORK

HUBLI: Prostitution in the twin-cities is getting organised and turning into a high-tech industry, with most prostitutes now operating from posh localities and using hi-tech gadgets to make initial contact with clients to offer their services.

Reliable sources in the police department confided that prostitution was no longer limited to dingy lodges located in Janatha Bazaar and Hosur areas.

Several high-profile colonies, which have come up in the recent past, were now earning notoriety as new hubs of prostitution. The growth in business can be gauged from the increase in the number of pimps always on the look-out to hook clients.

These pimps, instead of working clandestinely, are now openly approaching high-end hotels, restaurants and cinema halls to advertise their services.

They accost prospective customers who are well dressed and drive fancy cars. Call girls also try to lure such people by sending provocative SMSs or e-mails.

Pimps, using their contacts in banks and other offices, trace mobile numbers of such people and pass them on to the call girls. A majority of their targets are migrant employees working for banks and MNCs from Bangalore and other cities.

After agreeing on a price, clients pick up the girls and take them to their bungalows or any other place to continue their liaison.

One such racket was busted on Tuesday by the Hubli police, with the arrest of a 16-member gang operating from a two-storey bungalow located on Airport Road (Gokul Road).