John
09-11-2009, 06:56 AM
The 16 to 24-year-olds were locked in a house and filmed round-the-clock for two months.
But instead of fame and fortune from becoming reality show stars, naked pictures of the women were sold on the internet.
The scam in Turkey was uncovered when one anxious set of parents contacted police.
Officers raided the luxury villa in Istanbul, where the women were being held, last weekend.
The victims had all responded to an advertisement on the internet asking for contestants for a new Turkish show called Somebody's Watching You.
They signed contracts agreeing to stay at the house for the two-month period and to pay a forfeit of £20,000 if they walked out.
Initially, the women were delighted after moving into the luxury villa, complete with swimming pool.
But, within a matter of weeks, they realised that something was wrong when the show failed to follow the usual format, like test and evictions.
When they demanded to be released, the victims were told they would have to pay the £20,000 fine before they could leave the property.
None of the housemates could afford to pay and they all continued to stay in the house for the two-month experiment.
When police arrived at the villa, they could hear the women calling for help from inside.
The victims were released on Sunday and one Turkish man was arrested, as the investigation continued.
But instead of fame and fortune from becoming reality show stars, naked pictures of the women were sold on the internet.
The scam in Turkey was uncovered when one anxious set of parents contacted police.
Officers raided the luxury villa in Istanbul, where the women were being held, last weekend.
The victims had all responded to an advertisement on the internet asking for contestants for a new Turkish show called Somebody's Watching You.
They signed contracts agreeing to stay at the house for the two-month period and to pay a forfeit of £20,000 if they walked out.
Initially, the women were delighted after moving into the luxury villa, complete with swimming pool.
But, within a matter of weeks, they realised that something was wrong when the show failed to follow the usual format, like test and evictions.
When they demanded to be released, the victims were told they would have to pay the £20,000 fine before they could leave the property.
None of the housemates could afford to pay and they all continued to stay in the house for the two-month experiment.
When police arrived at the villa, they could hear the women calling for help from inside.
The victims were released on Sunday and one Turkish man was arrested, as the investigation continued.