Tokyo Metropolitan Police have arrested five people on suspicion of violating Japan's Employment Security Act. They are believed to have run a nationwide operation to recruit women via social media to work in the sex industry.

The five are suspected of introducing several women in their 20s to a sex shop in Oita Prefecture and getting them hired.

According to police, the suspects' group signed contracts with about 350 shops nationwide and recruited women through social media.

The group provided multiple shops with profiles of the women, including photos of their faces and bodies, and introduced them to the highest bidder.
An adult entertainment industry veteran explains the appeal of using recruiters. He said: "Recruiting on social media became very popular during the coronavirus pandemic. When shops post recruitment ads on websites now, they don't get much response. By using recruiters, they're able to receive information about new women every day."

The suspects' group reportedly took a cut of about 15 percent of the women's earnings.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police believe the group has received over one million US dollars so far.

One of the suspects has reportedly denied the charges, but the other four admitted to them during questioning.