LAS VEGAS -- Businesses that sell the allure of sex are scamming tourists out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to police. To combat the con, investigators are going undercover to close what are commonly known as "clip joints."
In clip joints, customers are tricked into paying for services they never receive, often of a sexual nature. They are then not so politely shown the door when they run out of money.
In Clark County, prostitution is illegal, so you would think the victims would be reluctant to report. Not so, say police, who respond to these places regularly, often for violent encounters.
In a city created to separate a fool from his money, a cab ride from a strip club to a supposed "happy ending" is hardly a safe bet.
A business on Highland Drive has no signage, yet small handbills somehow point the way, advertising "R & R" with beautiful girls in private rooms, plus a kickback for cabbies.
An undercover detective with Metro's Vice Detail pays $200 just to walk in the door. The same two bills an employee then hands to his cab driver, who is also an undercover cop.
"That was just to start you off. Obviously we're known for what everybody comes here for -- the VIP session. It's a much more private room than here," said an employee when the officer asked him about the money.
The employee explains access to the VIP room is another $1,000. When the customer complains he doesn't have it, she points him to an ATM machine in the lobby.
"It is big money," said Detective Jeff Clarke with Metro's Special Investigations Unit. "These girls and the security and the management, their goal is to take every bit of money out of these people that they can get."
When the upsell doesn't work, the detective demands a refund, saying he gave the girl $200 and she only touched his hand. But a giant of a manager insists that's not going to happen.
"That's what we offer here -- reflexology," said the manager.
Reflexology involves pressure points on the hands, feet, or ears. The same service was supposedly offered at clip joints that were busted by police more than a year ago.
"They give the innuendo and they give the veiled promises of some sort of sexual gratification. These girls have been scripted and they've learned how to do it, but they've learned that they don't ever have to provide any kind of sexual services," said Metro Sgt. Lenny Lorusso.
When the negotiation fails here, security leads the undercover detective out the back door. When he dials 911 and then refuses to leave, the conflict escalates.
"I'm telling you right now, get over the sidewalk right now or I'm going to count to three and I'm going to put you on it," said the manager.
Patrol officers diffuse the situation, perpetuating the charade until SWAT officers arrive several days later with a search warrant. Police arrest five women and two men for charges that include racketeering, obtaining money under false pretenses, and fraud.
"There's several others that are operating and that we're investigating and we're going to be paying them a visit soon," said Lorusso.
Following a string of similar busts in 2010, which have yet to be prosecuted, Clark County enacted tougher restrictions on reflexology establishments. They do not apply to Oasis R & R however, due to a grandfather provision. Though the county is investigating.
The State Massage Board says it does not regulate reflexology establishments, however it would support a legislative effort to include them. Police say without tougher regulations, these shops will continue to operate and prey on tourists.
