Stop those who profit from sleaze

THE Record revealed last month how sleazy men from across Scotland were using the Craigslist classified ads website to buy sex from desperate women.

Poor females selling services had been plunged into poverty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Our story shone a light on the kind of twisted minds who will use the internet to take advantage of vulnerable individuals, no matter what the cost.

Today, this newspaper can reveal that the same website is also being used by men in Scotland to lure women into their homes for sex in exchange for a place to stay.

We went undercover to lay bare the depraved tactics used by would-be landlords to manipulate those in dire need.

Thousands of Scots are believed to be targeted in this way every year and it has to stop.

Charities and campaigners have said a tougher line needs to be taken on men who are taking advantage of women in such a way.

It doesn’t need to be spelt out how dangerous a situation this is for those who feel they have no option but to take up an offer from a depraved landlord.

Craigslist could make a stand by banning such adverts and ensuring those that are posted are swiftly removed.

The days when the world’s biggest technology companies could shrug their shoulders when questioned about content on their websites are over.

It’s not good enough when sites such as Facebook or Twitter blame individual users whenever something dodgy is shared on their platforms.

Craigslist should step up and end this sordid practice.