Uma Sudhir/NDTV

New Delhi, Mar 22: For the many who are lonely in a city and are looking to make friends, friendship clubs seem to offer an attractive option. But underbelly it seems there is a thriving sex racket that is exploiting vulnerable youth with the lure of easy money.

Rajesh was lonely in Hyderabad and too timid to make friends with girls. He came across advertisements in newspapers that promised to do wonders to his social life. So he approached a friendship club and registered himself by transferring 5000 rupees to a bank account specified by the contact person.

''I have approached four agencies and paid Rs 30,000. They were supposed to give me phone numbers to make female friends. One of the women I met said she could organise girls for entertainment. If you want, you can come with friends, she could organize a housewife, college student, MBA student, all were linked to friendship club,'' said Rajesh, a advertising professional.

A young girl from a town in north India said she had registered for friendship club hoping to make friends. The bill for having fun, she clarified, would have to be paid by whoever wants to be friends with her.

During the investigation conducted by NDTV, what became obvious is that friendship club is a well-organised undercover network spread across several towns and cities that is exploiting the loneliness of life in a city and also perhaps the vulnerability of young girls with big dreams.

''She was asking me to deposit Rs 11,000 after which I would be given phone numbers. I had to go there. Of the earnings, 25 per cent would go as commission to them, the rest I could keep,'' Rajesh added.

When asked if he will be a part of a male escort service, he replied, ''yes.''

NDTV called few numbers in Delhi. Here is an excerpt of the communication.

NDTV: Hello, is that Sanjana? If I deposit the money, how soon will it get done?

Sanjana: If you deposit cash and inform me, your service will be activated. Within half-an-hour we'll give you your identification number. You will go to madam's house, she will pick you and you can have a good time. She'll give you money. Rs 20,000 for the service.

Sanjana: There is a beep sound on your phone, are you tracing our call?

NDTV: No, madam. Why should I do that?

After smelling foul play, Sanjana disconnected the phone line. With more and more people living single in metros, the sleaze of friendship clubs is slowly expanding.