Berhampur: Fraudsters here are duping people by posing as pimps on social media and WhatsApp.
According to the modus operandi, the fraudsters circulate mobile numbers on WhatsApp and social media with the promise to provide escort services. They then lure potential customers to make payments via UPI-based payment systems like PayTM, Google Pay or PhonePe.
Recently, two men from Buguda paid Rs 12,000 online as instructed by one such pimp, only to be disappointed after reaching the specified hotel.
The men didn’t approach police, but contacted a social worker, who called the phone number by posing as a client. The man on the other end reportedly communicated in Hindi and sent photographs of girls along with a rate chart on WhatsApp. The rate started from Rs 2,500 for one hour to Rs 8,000 for the whole night plus hotel charges.
The social worker insisted on seeing the girl before paying the 25 per cent advance demanded. The fraudster, however, hung up.
Police have assured that they will take action in such cases and the names of the complainants will be kept confidential.
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