After a month-long probe, Prashant Rajak, 40, and Kishore Mandal, 34 were arrested by Social Service Branch (SSB) officials from near a guesthouse at Cuffe Parade. The two men are no ordinary individuals but are pimps associated with an online escort service in Mumbai.
According to Mid-Day, the Mumbai Police got a lead last month about some websites illegally providing escort services in the city. It was followed by a meeting between the SSB officials and Joint CP Ashutosh Dumbare and they narrowed in on a number of websites. The officials then went underground and conducted a raid last week where they arrested the two men and rescued two women.
According to a Crime Branch official, the website goes by the name of MumbaiHotCollection.com where they offer women as prostitutes.
“The website MumbaiHotCollection.com, registered on GoDaddy.com, offers prostitutes including high-profile models. It displays their photographs as well. A mobile number mentioned on the website helps potential customers to get connected.”
Describing the process, the official said that a contact number is given on the site for customers to reach. One dialling the number you would receive a ‘hi’ on WhatsApp, thus marking the beginning of a conversation. They also provide pictures of the girls to the customers and gives them the option to book a hotel room themselves. However, in case the customer wants all arrangements to be done by the website, they book the room along with the girl.
“If you dial the number, a ‘hi’ would soon be sent to your WhatsApp. Thereafter, the conversation would continue. The mastermind sends photographs of girls to finalise the deal. Once the girl is finalised, they would ask the customer whether he wanted to book the hotel room or would prefer a girl with a booked hotel room. If the customer wishes to book the room, then they would ask for the hotel details to crosscheck.”
The SSB officials approached the website with dummy customers in order to catch them red-handed. They also agreed to deals of Rs. 45,000 each for two girls. While the mastermind behind the website had sent four girls in two separate cars, the police could rescue only two. Even the mastermind managed to escape.
“We had booked rooms at the Royal Guest House in Cuffe Parade. However, the mastermind had sent four girls in two separate cars to ensure that the services were not delayed. However, only two girls could be rescued.”
A case has been registered against the accused under the PITA Act. The crime that has come to light is a heinous one and we hope the police manages to bust the entire racket!