A farmer who wanted a mistress — and money — was arrested after he robbed a college student working as a "chatting mistress" and tried to extort 5,000 yuan (US$517) after taking pictures of her in the nude, prosecutors said yesterday.

Police warned young women not to accept work in which they would be alone with unknown men.

Minhang District prosecutors approved the arrest of Zou Yousheng, 27, a Jiangsu Province farmer.

The victim surnamed Dai, a university student, wanted a summer job. She saw newspaper ad, recruiting young girls to provide live chatting service to lonely clients. Attracted by the new type of job, Dai registered as a chatting mistress. She received a few clients in the first few days and everything went smoothly.

Observers said the new form of chat — not in bars, not phone sex, not prostitution — has arisen because many people are lonely and looking for women, usually young, to chat with them face to face. New agencies provide the service, but not much is known about it. Although some people use the term "mistress," sex is not supposed to be involved.

On June 2, Dai met a man who called himself Chen — Zou's alias.

After having some drinks, Zou suggested they register at a hotel. Dai was dubious, but Zhou persisted and Dai agreed.

They registered at a hotel and began to chat. Zou, a junior high school graduate, claimed he ran a company and the demands were tiring. He complained that he still hadn't found a lover.

"Now I hire you to chat with me. If one day you will accept my BMW, I'm also willing to be your servant," Zou said.

Dai thought the man was a little unpleasant.

Zou went out to buy them some food and brought back a knife. When he returned he put the knife to Dai's throat, demanding. He took her handbag containing a mobile phone, an MP3 player, a necklace and 150 yuan cash, prosecutors said.

Unsatisfied, Zou allegedly forced Dai to call her family for money. She said her parents were impoverished.

"I don't care. You must give me 5,000 yuan no matter how you get it. I will take nude photos for you. If you give me money, I will delete the pictures.

"Otherwise, I will send them to your family, classmates and put them on the Internet," Zou allegedly threatened.

He stripped Dai and took pictures of her in the nude, using her own mobile phone.

He told her to meet him at a fast-food restaurant the next day, with the money.

Police arrested him there.

(Shanghai Daily September 19, 2005)