According to Crime Branch officers, the accused would issue advertisements in newspapers offering to provide “friendship” with actors, models, air-hostess, doctors, housewives and other girls.

As soon as the victims would transfer money to their accounts, they would stop entertaining him, police said.

Police said they were tipped-off by a complainant that Varun Singh (23)—the main accused—had cheated him of Rs 5,000 this way.

“The racket was cracked with this complaint. They were arrested from their two offices in Vashist Park on Pankha Road,” said Satyendra Garg, Additional Commissioner, Crime Branch.

Varun (23), a graduate, is reportedly the mastermind of the racket. Others arrested include Kajal (20), Anamika (37), Kanika (19), Divya (23), Neha (34), Mansi (20), Tamanna (25), Preeti (19), Madhvi (19), Tanya (35) and Pooja (19).

The women were working with the club—Princess Friendship—for a few months, police said. “The women were all tele-callers employed by Singh. They were paid Rs 3,500 per month and three of them were college students,” said Satyendra Garg, Additional Commissioner, Crime Branch.

There were three categories of membership fees—lower (college girls, housewives) for Rs 2,500, middle (teachers, doctors and professionals) for Rs 3,500 and upper (models and air-hostess) for Rs 5,000, police said.

The calls were attended by a girl, who would promise to give contact numbers of women, besides giving details of bank accounts for payment.