OFF THE WIRE
Everyday, millions of people log onto Craigslist, looking for everything from apartments and jobs, to jewelry and cars. But now, there is a growing number of people logging on for sex.
FOX6 went undercover with the San Diego Police Vice Unit to get an inside look as they target these online prostitutes and their "cyberpimps."
On that night, the eight detectives were at a downtown hotel. The set-up there was realistic. There were clothes in the closet, a toothbrush in the bathroom, and beer on the table. One thing out of place, and the operation would be blown.
"They call the hotel to make sure the name we've given them over the phone is the same name that the room is registered to," explains Vice Sgt. Lynda Oberlies. "They'll check doors, they'll pick up pillows and mattresses. They check everywhere."
Hidden in that room is a highly-sensitive voice recorder. It allows detectives in the room next door to listen to everything said between the alleged prostitute and the cop posing as a John.
Once money is exchanged, and sex is offered, the woman is handcuffed and placed under arrest for prostitution.
A 28-year old woman arrested in the sting told detectives she was selling her body to pay for cosmetology school.
A 22-year old woman who was also arrested told FOX6 she learned how to sell her body from her family.
"I had a lot of friends and family that were out there, stripping and things like that. Some had pimps, and had nice things. And I was trying to get nice things, too."
But those "nice things" come at a price.
"We hear men have held guns to their heads, they've choked them, and they've tied them up and left them," said Oberlies.
Detectives say most women selling themselves on Craigslist have "cyberpimps."
"Primarily, everyone we've had contact with, there is somebody in the background," said Oberlies. "They pretty much receive 100 percent of the profit."
Both women arrested at the sting denied having pimps, and they both received misdemeanor citations. They were allowed to walk out of the hotel that night.
Vice says many of these women often begin posting again on Craigslist the very next day. Detectives say that is what makes Craigslist so popular for online prostitution. It is free, anyone can post, and there is very little regulation. In fact, they say the postings are protected by the First Amendment.