Prostitution charges have been laid against 31-year-old Mark Carlisle Humphrey for allegedly luring women into the sex trade through Craigslist's advertisements for escorts and exotic dancers.

"These ads are very generic, all basically what it says is that, ‘You want to make a lot of money? No experience necessary. All is required is good looks and a nice smile,' Sgt. Tony Cavezza of the Vancouver police said at a press conference Tuesday.

Vancouver police began an investigation on May 14. Now Humphrey faces two charges of procuring a person to become a prostitute, living on the avails of prostitution and aiding, abetting or compelling a person to engage in prostitution.

Police say they discovered that Humphrey used his home office in the West End of Vancouver to recruit women into the sex trade through an Internet business.

Police allege Humphrey used Craigslist's postings to direct women to a website he ran called www.heavenzgates.com. Investigators believe the women were coaxed to create an online profile through which Humphrey contacted and then met them in person.

Cavezza told reporters that Humphrey persuaded and gained control over the women in order to get them to perform sexual acts for money. He then took the money for himself.

Police took Humphrey into custody on June 18. He is now out on bail and is scheduled to appear in court on July 30.

Cavezza said he could not comment on the specifics of the case because it's before the court. He did say that cracking down on pimping is a priority.

"Regarding the pimps, these are criminals that the vice unit is focusing on targeting. These individuals are very charismatic, very business savvy. They're smooth talkers with very above average interpersonal skills," Cavezza said.

The Internet has changed how police approach tracking down pimps, who have traditionally used bars and hotel lounges to find women.

"It would be out in the open, whereas online pimping is behind the anonymity of the Internet," Cavezza said.

"We are then adjusting our methods, and the Internet is becoming another area we do monitor proactively, looking for criminal activity."