We normally come across a variety of classifieds in the newspapers and periodicals, of course with a general disclaimer. Advertisers advertise and publishers publish these ads, but consumers are supposed to check the veracity of their claims, as the sales are normally subject to the caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) principle.
The most intriguing ads pertain to ones (1) from Bengali Babas claiming guaranteed solutions to all sorts of personal problems, (2) from the so-called consultants arranging for loans etc, (3) from friends’ clubs offering chat services, (4) from escort service providers offering call girls in the garb of escorts, (5) from the so-called sexologists and quacks assuring treatment for all kinds of diseases including incurable ones, and so on.
They also boldly display their names (or nick-names) and addresses, along with contact numbers.
Such ads prima facie raise suspicions, but there are people who go to them knowingly for availing of their illegal and immoral services. There are also cases of people being defrauded by the loan providers and second hand auto sellers. The business is thriving and blooming.
Such ads have now made inroads into the cyberspace too. Social media and direct messaging are being misused indiscriminately.
I wonder why law enforcing agencies proactively don’t go after them and put them to legal scrutiny, instead of waiting for a complaint to be lodged against them. Can’t they have a close watch on them and get them caught red-handed by sending decoy customers?
If courts can take suo moto notice of a case in public interest, why police authorities should not have a similar mechanism? If they can raid beer bars and restaurants, they can and should also take preventive action to check unethical practices.
If such nefarious and fraudulent activities are nipped in the bud, the crime rate will come down substantially, and the potential victims may also be saved from avoidable losses, disgraces or inconveniences.
–Kaushal Kishore
Kaushal Kishore 
I am not surprised about the level of criminal activity you have described, as it is the same situation here. There are gangs, often based abroad, operating with impunity. As I am well informed, I don’t get involved, but many people do and lose very large sums of money.
It is important that you write about as a warning, but I am not sure that people are listening.
Thank you.
Joanna
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It’s like covid warnings. People tend to ignore them or are under false belief that it would not happen to them. But here is the case, where both sides are oblivious of the gravity involved. Thank you, Joanna, for sharing your reflections.
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Wise words, KK but people appear to want easy, quick-fit solutions to their problems, when in fact answers may actually lie within themselves!
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You are right, solution lies with us, but I have seen that many knowledgeable people have also been taken for a ride. Thank you, Ashley, for sharing your views 🙏
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I agree with your thoughts. If our media must be censored now, why not weed out the particulars that might cause harm? 🌞
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That’s precisely my point. Why preventive measures can’t be taken by law enforcing agencies? Thank you Lisa for sharing your reflections 😊
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The cruellest part is the notice by newspaper publishers: we are not responsible for ads here. We cannot give surety of their claims.
Then why they publish such ads?
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Yes, that’s the point. Just to earn ad revenue.
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