Eastern Cape men willing to pay for sex have become the target of violent robbers, extortionists and blackmailers who lure their victims into traps with the help of attractive prostitutes.
Because of the fear of being exposed, many of the business and professional men who hire prostitutes and are attacked and robbed never report the crimes to the police, let alone tell anyone else. Police say victims have "too much to lose". Last month, two Port Elizabeth men were convicted and given suspended jail sentences after blackmailing and photographing a businessman picking up a prostitute.
Five other people - including a woman who allegedly offered massage services - are on trial after at least two Port Elizabeth men were attacked and robbed after responding to an advertisement for a "beautiful blonde".
However, police and escort agencies say that incidents of men being robbed of their vehicles, cash, jewellery and even clothes are probably widespread.
Their alleged victims responded to a newspaper advertisement which stated that a "beautiful young blonde with an outstanding figure is waiting for you. When the clients, whose identities are being withheld at the request of the state, arrived they were ushered in and told to strip down by a blonde woman.
