EXCLUSIVEI went to a plush hotel to interview for my dream job after I applied on a job site - when I got there, I was plied with alcohol and raped

A woman has revealed how she was brutally attacked after going for an interview for what she thought was her 'dream job'.

Vicky, 27, from London, was thrilled to get a job offer as a massage therapist in plush hotel in the capital.

She was led to believe the role, which came with the promise of on-the-job training, was based in hotels and with high-end clients.  

But in reality the role didn't exist. Instead vile massage parlour boss Raghu Singamaneni, 50, used the enticement of work as a ruse to meet young women before plying them with alcohol and sexually assaulting them.

The day after she was offered the job Vicky was lured to a hotel for a 'trial massage' where the predator raped her.

But Vicky, one of four victims, found the courage to report him to the police and in June 2023 he was convicted of three counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration and one count of attempted rape. 

He was sentenced to 16 years with a further two on licence.

Vicky was thrilled to get a job offer as a massage therapist in plush hotels which came with the promise of on-the-job training but in reality the role didn’t exist

Vicky was thrilled to get a job offer as a massage therapist in plush hotels which came with the promise of on-the-job training but in reality the role didn't exist

Talking exclusively to Femail, Vicky who has bravely waived her right to anonymity in a bid to encourage other victims of sexual assault to report it, opened up about her ordeal. 

She said: 'I thought I'd bagged a good job. I thought I was perfectly safe. I'd no idea a rapist was lurking behind the job ad.

'I'm still dealing with the after effects but I'm glad that beast can't do it to anyone else.'

Vicky had registered on a recruitment app and having uploaded her CV and photo, and had previously worked two cleaning jobs through it.

Then in March 2021 someone called Anna contacted her via the app about a massage job vacancy.

Vicky explained: 'I was really keen but I didn't have any experience and I told her, as we talked on WhatsApp. She told me it didn't matter because I'd be taught how to do it.

'And when she said the job was based in hotels, involving regular, private clients, it sounded plush.'

Vicky was asked to send her measurements for the uniform. 

'I felt chuffed and told my boyfriend Peter, then 39, who was really pleased for me.'

Vicky, 27, from London, revealed how she was deceived into thinking she got a good job but instead she was brutally raped

Vicky, 27, from London, revealed how she was deceived into thinking she got a good job but instead she was brutally raped

The following day Anna sent a message telling Vicky a client had booked a massage at a hotel in North London.

Vicky said: 'She told me she'd known him ages, that he was a regular client and really nice.

'Things were happening faster than I'd expected and I said so to Anna. But she reassured me. She even sent and paid for an Uber for me.'

But as Vicky sat in the cab the journey took ages and she got cold feet. She said: 'Feeling unnerved I messaged Anna to cancel.

'She got back immediately, telling me "You'll be fine! Just give it a try,'' so I ended up carrying on.'

Vicky arrived at the hotel around 4pm and a man wearing a baseball cap was waiting for her in the carpark.

Vicky said: 'He smiled, shook my hand and told me his name was Trevor. Trying not to sound nervous I gave him my name too. Then we went in via a side door and up some stairs to the first floor.'

Massage parlour boss Raghu Singamaneni, 50, used the enticement of work as a ruse to meet young women before plying them with alcohol and sexually assaulting them

Massage parlour boss Raghu Singamaneni, 50, used the enticement of work as a ruse to meet young women before plying them with alcohol and sexually assaulting them

Swiping a key card Trevor ushered Vicky into one of the bedrooms.

Vicky said: 'It struck me as odd that it wasn't a treatment room, but he smiled and said, ''take a seat.''

'I sat on a chair over by the window. Then he handed me a cup and said, ''have a drink.''

'Seeing the vodka bottle I declined. But he persisted so I sipped it slowly as we made chit-chat.'

When Vicky finished the drink he offered her another, which she refused. But he persisted and feeling uncomfortable, she went to the bathroom.

Vicky recalled: 'When I came out he'd poured another drink. I had one mouthful and minutes later felt dizzy.

'Then Trevor asked me to change into the uniform laid out on the bed - a sleeveless blue silky top which had white flowers on and a pair of red pyjama style bottoms.'

Vicky had registered on a recruitment app and having uploaded her CV and photo she’d got two cleaning jobs through it

Vicky had registered on a recruitment app and having uploaded her CV and photo she'd got two cleaning jobs through it

Vicky went into bathroom to change, pulling the top over her T-shirt but decided to keep her own black leggings on. When she came out Trevor was stood by the bed. He took his shirt off.

Vicky said: 'I felt confused but he smiled and said we were going to practise on his shoulders. I wondered then if it was really a sort of job trial... that perhaps Trevor wanted to find out if I was up to the job.'

Feeling uneasy Vicky began the massage but he stopped her, telling her she was doing it wrong and that he'd show her how to do it.

She said: 'He massaged my shoulders, then told me to have another go on him. So I did but after five minutes I said, ''I can't.''

Trevor told Vicky to sit down and finish her drink. But still feeling lightheaded and dizzy she refused and went to the bathroom instead.

She recalled: 'I was wondering how to make my exit. When I re-emerged Trevor suddenly pushed me onto the bed.

'I was shocked, asked him what he was doing and tried to get up but he hissed ''lie down!'' as he pushed me again.

'Then he stripped to his boxers and as he learned over he yanked down my underwear and leggings. 

The police investigated and when they got in touch with Vicky they told her they’d arrested and charged someone

The police investigated and when they got in touch with Vicky they told her they'd arrested and charged someone

'I could hardly breathe through fear but I shouted ''STOP'' , tried to push him away, but he grabbed my right arm by the wrist and yanked it to my side. Then he raped me. Utter revulsion raged through me.'

Vicky kept telling him to stop but ignoring her pleas he carried on, his weight pinning her down. Eventually he got off her.

Sobbing, Vicky jumped up and told him she was going home. He told her he'd book her an Uber and having thrown on her clothes she scrambled into it as it arrived.

While in the cab she messaged her boyfriend, telling him she been raped. She recalled: 'Peter rang me straightaway. ''What happened?'' he gasped.

'I told him I'd explain when I got back. Then I tried to message Anna but she'd blocked me. Then it hit me. Had the profile been fake - had it been Trevor all along?'

When Vicky got to Peter's she broke down and told him everything. Horrified, he urged her to tell the police and twenty minutes later she was at the station, providing a statement.

An officer told her they'd need her clothes for DNA. She also had a forensic medical examination at a sexual assault referral centre.

She said: 'While I was there I was given medication as a preventative measure against HIV but they warned it would be three months before they could tell me if I was in the clear.'

Afterwards back at Peter's Vicky collapsed into his arms in a total state of shock and over the coming days she hit rock bottom.

She said: 'I couldn't eat or sleep, the attack played over and over in my head as I suffered hideous flashbacks and nightmares.

'As my life crumbled I didn't want to go out or see anyone. I'd sit in the bath for hours, scrubbing my skin - he'd made me feel so dirty.'

Meanwhile the police investigated and when they got in touch with Vicky they told her they'd arrested and charged someone.

But his name wasn't Trevor. It was Raghu Singamaneni and he was pleading not guilty.

Vicky said:'When my case officer told me it would mean a trial I was petrified. I don't know what I'd have done without Peter's support. He and my friends kept me going.

'It was also some relief learning my HIV test result was negative.'

Then via her officer she learned something else - she wasn't the only victim.

 Singamaneni had also been charged with sexual offences against three other women.

In March 2023, Raghu Singamaneni, 50, stood trial at Wood Green Crown Court. The court heard he ran two massage parlours in North London and he'd lured his victims by offering them jobs.

Vicky said: 'I sat behind a screen when it came to my turn to give evidence but couldn't face going back to court for the verdict.

'Instead my case officer rang me. When I heard the word GUILTY I cried with relief.'

Singamaneni was convicted of three counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration and one count of attempted rape. He was handed a jail term of 16 years, with a further two years on licence.

Vicky said: 'Afterwards Peter hugged me and told me how proud he was of me. I'm still dealing with the effects of it all but I'm glad that monster's behind bars.

'I never dreamt a massage parlour rapist was lurking behind the job advertisement. I never found out who Anna was either, or even if she existed but at least that beast can't do it to anyone else.

'And I would encourage anyone who may have been through similar to contact the police. They will listen and support you.'