Undercover Investigation Exposes Saudi Sex Trade
An investigation has uncovered a secret underground sex network in Saudi Arabia, where prostitutes openly advertise their services to expats, tourists, and locals using popular dating apps like Tinder. Despite the risk of prison, fines, or even the death penalty for adultery, these women operate in family neighborhoods and tourist hotels, offering a range of sexual acts.
Prices and Services Revealed
Profiles on Tinder connect to WhatsApp, where women share explicit menus. One woman offered unprotected oral sex for 1,000 Saudi Riyal (£200) per hour or 500 Riyal (£100) for 30 minutes. Another from Uganda offered “simple sex” for 200 Riyal (£40), stating she did not fear authorities. A threesome with two women was available for 700 Riyal (£140) per hour, and a Thai woman offered to visit upmarket hotels.
Crackdown and Human Rights Concerns
In 2026, Saudi authorities arrested over 50 suspects for prostitution-related crimes after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman vowed to crack down on “immoral acts.” However, human rights experts warn of a hidden underbelly of exploitation. Tatiana Kotlyarenko, an international human rights expert, said: “There are reports of extreme sexual exploitation and violence in conservative countries such as Saudi Arabia... Within that underbelly also are drugs, alcohol, sex parties, trafficking for sexual exploitation.” She added that women are often trafficked with false job offers and face severe punishment if caught, being treated as criminals rather than victims.
Tinder Responds
A Tinder spokesperson stated: “Solicitation of any kind is a violation of our Community Guidelines and could result in the profile being removed.” They urged users to report violations via the in-app tool.
Amnesty International Condemns Exploitation
Amnesty International commented: “Sex trafficking is not just a criminal enterprise – it is a profound violation of human rights... Governments must stop treating sex trafficking as a peripheral issue and confront it as a systemic abuse sustained by inequality, impunity and mistrust of victims.”
