Three brothers who enticed university students into prostitution have been imprisoned by a local court in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

This is the first case in Chongqing involving university students engaging in prostitution in the guise of escorts and hostesses for tourists, according to a report by the Xinhua News Agency.

Over 70 university students are registered at the so-called "student commercial club," which was opened by the three brothers Yang Fuyun, Yang Fuhai and Yang Fuhong.

They were sentenced to gaol terms of five, six and five years for the crimes of luring women into prostitution and living off immoral earnings, according to the judgment by the Chongqing Shapingba District People's Court on Friday.

Cash

Yang Fuyun, who put up the cash to set up the club, was responsible for hiring university students and publishing advertisements.

Yang Fuhai served the customers and collected fees.

Yang Fuhong was responsible for the internal affairs of the club.

Local police raided the club in December last year.

One day prior to the raid, a student surnamed Jiang who was employed by the club was caught soliciting in a hotel.

Located in Shapingba District where many universities are situated, the club ran a series of advertisements in the media from June last year, when the club started business.

"University students who are smart, outgoing and fashionable are wanted," the advertisements read.

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Some of these advertisements were even posted on campuses.

Some students involved said they earned over 800 yuan (US$97) per client for providing sexual services.

Nearly half of their earnings went to the club to cover "management costs," while the students kept the rest.

Many of the students hired by club stated that the three brothers often encouraged them to be more "outgoing" and to ensure customers use condoms.

A student surnamed Wang, who acted as a witness in court, said, "On my third day on the job at the club, Yang Fuhong arranged for me to provide sexual services to a company manager. I refused."

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The three brothers, however, insisted that sexual transactions were between students and customers.

"What could I do if the students wanted to prostitute themselves?" Yang Fuyun said.

Some local media have reported that luring university students to provide sexual services is not uncommon in Chongqing.

Some reports said that there were nearly 100 such companies that have various numbers of university students engaging in this activity.

(Source: China Daily)