4 running call centre for flesh trade held

A special team of Adyar district police intercepted a car in Velachery on Tuesday based on a tip-off that women are being taken in cars for flesh trade and since the occupants of the vehicle gave contradictory replies, they were taken to the police station for inquiry.

Investigation with them revealed that the two were forced into flesh trade and were made to stay at a rented house in Kovilambakkam. The house was raided and five more victims were rescued and a woman D Poornima (21) of Saidapet was arrested.

Poornima further spelt the beans with the police that she is part of online escort services with a dedicated call centre functioning at Kundrathur. The special team then rushed to Kundrathur and arrested the other accused including M Mohan (33) of Ilaiyankudi, A Sundar (28) of Kottivakkam and M Rajesh (31) of Nandambakam. “They advertised on Locanto website about their escort services and dealt with the customers over phone. They took the victims to customers’ house in their car,” said an official.

A car, 10 mobile phones and a two-wheeler were seized from the gang. While the accused were remanded in judicial custody, the victims were sent to Government Welfare Home.