Anastasia from Yamba - Caution - Extortion
Hi everyone,
I’m posting this as a warning about a disturbing experience I had after contacting an escort advertiser online. I’m not posting this to criticise sex workers or the adult-services industry. My concern is specifically about what appears to be an organised attempt to intimidate or blackmail people after they make contact with an advertiser.
Today I contacted an independent escort profile advertised in Yamba, NSW, under the name “Pleasure by Anastasia.”
I arranged a possible time with the advertiser. During the conversation, I was told that to secure the booking I needed to provide three things:
a photograph of my identification;
a $100 deposit; and
after making the payment, my home address.
The message said:
“To lock our time together, send me a photo of your ID and $100 deposit:Acc: 1028 1120BSB: 062 004Send me a screenshot.
Once done, send me your address. Tomorrow I will message you once I am on the way. Thanks.”
I wasn't comfortable sending a photograph of my ID over the internet to somebody I didn't know, particularly when it was being requested together with money and my home address.
So I didn't provide my ID and didn't proceed with or confirm the booking.
Then things became concerning
A few hours later, I received an unsolicited message from a completely different mobile number: 0435 316 892.
It said:
“What fucking games are you playing at?
DO NOT MAKE CONTACT WITH ANY OF MY GIRLS AGAIN UNDERSTOOD.
get back to me asap to get this sorted or I'll show everyone you know the proof I have of your involvement with escorts. And don't block me coz that doesn't make me go away”
That immediately raised alarm bells.
The phone number I had used was on a newly activated line, and this was the only occasion on which I had used that number for this type of contact.
I therefore struggle to see how an unrelated person could have obtained the number, known that I had contacted an escort and, only hours later, threatened to expose my supposed “involvement with escorts.”
I can't independently prove who sent the second message or who controls the numbers involved, so people can draw their own conclusions. However, the timing and content were concerning enough that I believe others should be aware of what happened.
What particularly concerns me is the sequence:
Contact advertiser → request for ID → request for $100 deposit → request for home address → contact from another number → threat to expose escort activity unless I “get back” to them.
Fortunately, the threat itself has no leverage over me. I'm an adult and I don't consider consensual adult services something another person can shame me over.
I replied:
“Scammer - I have sent this message to the platforms to show this scam. Sadly for you, I am not intimidated by this threat. Wouldn't change my life one bit. Too scared to send it from +61 497 765 911. I am reporting both numbers to the police. Take care and good luck. I suggest you pull your profile down today.”
But somebody else could react very differently.
Imagine someone who is married, has a conservative family, holds a sensitive job, or is simply terrified of having their private life disclosed. Receiving a message saying “pay attention to me or I'll show everyone you know proof that you contacted escorts” could cause enormous distress.
That person might panic.
They might pay money.
They might send their identification.
They might provide their home address.
And once somebody has an ID document, phone number, address, payment information and potentially identifying photographs, the victim could become substantially more vulnerable to further demands.
I have reported it
I have reported the incident to the platform and asked them to investigate the advertiser.
I've also asked them to preserve records associated with the profile—including registration details, contact information and relevant account/login records—so that information is available if law enforcement formally investigates the matter.
I have retained the messages, phone numbers and other relevant information and am considering making reports to police and other appropriate authorities.
I want to emphasise one thing: this post is not an allegation against escorts generally.
Most people working in adult services have every reason to want clients and workers to be safe. Nor am I suggesting that requesting a deposit by itself proves somebody is a scammer.
The issue here is the combination of circumstances and, above all, the subsequent threatening message.
A warning to others
If you're arranging adult services online, be extremely cautious about providing a stranger with a photograph of your driver's licence/passport, your home address and money before you've established who you're dealing with.
If somebody subsequently threatens to expose your private activities unless you contact them or give them something, save everything.
Keep the original messages. Screenshot the conversation. Preserve phone numbers, payment details, profile information, dates and times. Don't delete evidence simply because the messages are embarrassing.
And don't assume that because the threatened disclosure might be embarrassing, you have to give the person what they want.
I'm posting this because the threat didn't work on me, but the next person targeted might be far more vulnerable.
If anyone else has experienced the same pattern—particularly contact involving this advertiser or the same phone numbers—I would be interested to know whether this is an isolated incident or something that has happened to multiple people.
