City’s desi boys duped

Young men in the city, who are enrolling in gigolo clubs to make a quick buck, claim that they are being duped.Many such fake clubs make them pay hefty enrollment fee with the promise of getting rich clients, but the boys often get no work, and lose their money too. Akhilesh Juneja, 24, (name changed on request) who came across an online ad by a ‘Gigolo employment agency’ says,

“I was asked to deposit Rs 15,000 as registration fee in a bank account and promised work worth Rs 50,000 every month. I initially got calls from high profile aunties asking me to meet. But when I called back on the numbers to confirm the meeting, the phones were switched off.” Another Delhi-based student, Uday Agarwal received an SMS, asking him to join an escort agency.

When Agarwal responded, he was asked to choose from various membership packages. “I went for a Rs 8,500 plan that offered work for four months.I deposited the amount in a bank account, and waited for work but didn’t get a single call. When I called up on the advertiser’s number, it was out of service.”

Many such young men, who have been duped this way are also venting out their anger on consumer complaint websites too, requesting the shut down of fraudulent gigolo clubs.

“Beware of male escort service agencies,” wrote Nishant on a consumer complaint website. He was duped in a similar manner.

Experts however warn youngsters to stay away from such means of making easy money. “Excitement drives youngsters to such mess.

They need parental control as all this leads to a dangerous outcome,” says Ashok Chand, DCP (Crime). Dr Pulkit Sharma, psychiatrist, VIMHAANS, says.“I remember a case where a thrill-seeking aspiring gigolo sunk into depression after he failed to get enough work.”

Bare truth
A first person account of a gigolo

I came to Delhi from Bareilly. I work as a gigolo and cater to lonely women. When I was new, agents took money from me, and never got me any work. Our business runs only thorough word of mouth. The money is good, and my sex life rocks. My family has no idea that I am a gigolo. My dad will kill me if he gets to know that.

(Name withheld)