Overview
The victim is threatened with debts to an escort or sex worker that they didn't know they had.
How It Works
The scammer, impersonating an escort or other sex worker, will set up a fake profile or advertisement on social media or a dating app.
The victim will respond to the ad or otherwise engage with the fake profile, for example to set up a date.
When the victim is unable to make the date, or tries to disengage from the relationship, the scammer will then assume the persona of a "pimp" or "cartel boss" who is ostensibly the employer of the sex worker. He accuses the victim of wasting his time, and threatens to expose the chats if the victim does not pay for the time "wasted" by not engaging more with the sex worker.
Related Articles
Related Scams
6.2 Underage Dating Accusation Scam: Both are sex-related extortion schemes
6.5 Webcam Video Scam: Both are sex-related extortion schemes
8.4 Relationship Blackmail Scam: Both are sex-related extortion schemes
Related Crime Schemes
A particular instance of this scam may embed one or more of these related schemes.
Extortion: Extortion refers to any scheme that uses a threat of additional damage to extract payment from the victim.
Victim Targeting Context
The scammer may use one or more of the following techniques to reach the victim.
Targeted Conversational Approach: The scammer approaches the victim through targeted, topical online conversation.
Social Engineering: Psychological Manipulations
The scammer may use one or more of these psychological techniques to accomplish the scam.
Nice Guy: The scammer takes advantage of the victim's generosity, diligence, or attempt to be "a nice guy".
Romance: The scammer promises love or friendship to victim.
Shame: The scammer tries to make the victim feel some shame or embarrassment in order to get them to go along with the scam.
Threats: The scammer employs threats to increase fear in the victim so that they will go along with the scam. Threats can include financial loss, legal action, arrest, account closure, extortion, blackmail.
Urgency: The scammer employs urgency to increase the likelihood that the victim will take action.
Social Engineering: Impersonation Techniques
The scammer may impersonate one or more of the following groups as part of the scam.
Catfishing: The perpetrator creates a fictitious online profile or persona.