More on Scottsdale MPs...

Did anyone else see this?
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The Arizona Republic
Aug. 30, 2003 12:00 AM

SCOTTSDALE - A portion of Scottsdale's massage industry has ties to organized crime, drugs, money laundering and human trafficking, especially of Asian women, police say.

The city may have Phoenix to blame. The massage parlor prostitution trade moved to Scottsdale after Phoenix launched a crackdown two years ago, according to police.

About 20 percent of the 157 massage facilities in Scottsdale have been identified as illegitimate businesses, police said.

Most women who work in the parlors are Chinese, South Korean and Thai and come through California. They don't stay here, or anywhere, very long.

The women often are shuttled to other Western cities after two weeks in Scottsdale, working a circuit that includes Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego.

In an instructional presentation for officers who are doing inspections, Detective Randy Carruthers shows trainees pictures of futons on the floor, where women sleep during brief stints as workers in the Valley.

Some advertising for the illicit parlors is word of mouth, but many are listed on the Internet. Detectives now search the Web to find businesses that still advertise prohibited services.

A cursory check of an Internet phone book reveals dozens of escort services in Scottsdale that list massage among their practices.

Most illicit businesses are easy to spot, police said. They feature ads for Viagra, penis enlargement and show women in bikinis.

On some Web sites, customers compare sex work they've received and use codes to explain certain behaviors. For example, a woman who is warm and engaging will be described as providing a "GFE," or girlfriend experience. A woman who is becoming worn out is called "HM," or high-mileage, while "FS," or full-service, means the worker performs sex acts.

There are also some hints about what might make a storefront business illegitimate: Neon signs, late hours and female clients being turned away.

Legitimate therapists working when the business is completely booked can earn $30 to $40 an hour. Those willing to perform sex acts can earn up to $300, police said