Hundreds of young Russian women are being recruited to sell their virginities to rich men online, it's been reported.
Seedy, specialist dealers scout out young, virgin women and arranges sales to wealthy business men. The report, published by website Bumaga, suggests the men arranging the deals are picking up a cut of the agreed fee, with some taking thousands of pounds.
One advert on a forum called Bad Girls Club, read: "Looking for virgin girls under 19. Smart, beautiful, charming, from any cities in Russia. We pay tickets to Moscow and back, 1-2 days. Type of girls - as on the photo."
This was posted next to a photograph of an attractive woman posing on a bed in lingerie. It's unclear if the photographs used are of women actually selling their virginity.
A second forum, called Desperate Virgins' Club, was also spotted posting similar ads, and, according to the report, women and girls are responding in their thousands.
With many likely drawn in by the promise of earning big cash. One dealer promoting his site, wrote: "Marina sold her virginity for 1.5 million roubles (£18,900), and bought a great apartment."
The report also found a number of women who were cutting out the middle man and simply advertising the 'right to the first night' on dating sites and specialist forums, with most women seeking an 'adult, affluent man'.
One 19-year-old woman from Moscow, wrote: "Selling virginity, please send me a private message. I am from Moscow, I'm 19, 175 cm (tall), weight - 65 kg."
Another posted: "Girl. 17. Selling virginity. Details in private messages."
Those selling their virginity are expected to show a medical certificate 'proving' they haven't had sex. One dealer told the website the 'perfect type is 17-to-18 years old, short, very cute and modest', adding that she sells around 10 virgins a month.
Speaking to the news outlet that published the article, some women explained the reasoning behind their decision, with one woman saying she is hoping to fund cancer treatment for her mother, another said she was hoping to start her own business with any cash made.
Opening up about why, one said: "Instead of just losing my virginity, it's better if I make some money from it."
While a third explained that what she was doing wasn't prostitution: "It's not prostitution. I want to meet a wealthy man and try to get into a relationship with him."
Topics: World News, Russia