-
- Unscrupulous dating agencies are tricking lonely men
out of thousands of dollars by substituting "potential love interests"
with prostitutes.
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- The NSW Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has received more
than 123 complaints against dating agencies in the past year, with the
OFT currently involved in legal action against one agency.
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- The majority of complaints relate to the quality of services,
with people promised "true love" instead finding themselves with
lighter pockets and bank accounts.
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- Those "targeted" by the agencies are usually
men with poor social skills, and often with "physical and mental challenges".
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- Introduction agencies are not licensed in NSW, with Fair
Trading Minister Reba Meagher recently announcing a discussion paper for
regulating the industry.
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- There are about 100 introduction agencies operating in
NSW, and according to the OFT 75 per cent of them are doing the right thing,
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- "It is only a few who think they [can] rip people
off and make a quick buck," an OFT spokesman said.
-
- One such agency allegedly has a deal with local brothels,
where sex workers are recruited to act as "love interests".
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- "These guys are wanting to form permanent relationships
and believe they are seeking a person with similar beliefs," the spokesman
said.
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- "Instead these sex workers are wined and dined [at
the man's expense] and don't want any further contact with the person."
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- Another problem duped suitors encounter is that they
cannot get a refund, with some forking out as much as $90,000 in search
of "true love".
-
- "People who go to these introduction agencies are
induced to sign on the dotted line and part with their money," the
spokesman said.
-
- "If they change their mind, there is no cooling
off period and then they are forced to negotiate with the company to get
their money back.
-
- "What some companies claim to be a reasonable administrative
fee could be quite high".
-
- One agency even allegedly had four "potential love
interests" escort a man to a bank so he could withdraw thousands of
dollars to upgrade his membership.
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- In May this year, Ms Meagher issued a public warning
against one company operating as TLC Consulting Services.
-
- The company, which is based in Tweed Heads after being
banned from operating in Queensland, is accused of targeting single men
with the "promise of a lasting relationship, luring them into expensive
contracts that offer nothing in return".
-
- Ms Meagher yesterday told The Daily Telegraph she is
committed to ensuring people are not duped by these agencies.
-
- "We have and will continue to take the appropriate
action against shonky operators who prey on a particularly vulnerable section
of our community," Ms Meagher said.
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- The review of the agencies, which will determine what
action should be taken in dealing with dating agencies, will be released
for community consultation next month.
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- Copyright 2003 Nationwide News
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- http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story.jsp?sectionid=1260&storyid=291946
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