Ashley Madison promotes itself as a courting website that helps individuals cheat on their companions. However newly launched shopper complaints filed with the FTC, obtained completely by Gizmodo, ought to in all probability give any potential cheaters pause. The location is awful with extortion makes an attempt, to place it mildly.
Gizmodo filed a Freedom of Info Act request for all complaints lodged with the FTC over the previous 5 years, and the federal company says it situated 282 in complete. The FTC launched 200 complaints, most involving extortionists who trick customers into giving them bare pictures or having a video chat. The extortionists then flip round and demand cash, telling the victims that in the event that they refuse they’ll be uncovered to associates, household, and employers.
“She took a display screen recording of my face and genitals and so they began demanding I pay her or she would add the video and break my life,” one typical criticism from a person in Texas reads.
A lot of the sextortionists look like asking for roughly $1,000 or $2,000 at first, although that may escalate shortly, even when an preliminary cost is made.
“A woman messaged me and advised me she discovered my spouse’s title, Fb, and our residence handle and is demanding $2,000 or she was going to ship the knowledge from my profile to my spouse,” one other criticism from Arkansas explains.
Individuals who say they paid the extortionists usually complain that it didn’t cease the scammers from demanding extra funds. And that leads to a predictable downward spiral of futility for the victims.
“After I paid them they then requested for more cash. I’ve a sense this isn’t going to cease and I don’t know what to do,” one person from Michigan writes.
Ashley Madison has lengthy been a goal for extortionists and ethical crusaders, with the positioning struggling an enormous information breach again in 2015 after getting hacked. The nameless hackers demanded the site be taken down or they’d launch detailed details about customers. After a couple of month, the hackers made good on their risk, releasing roughly 10 gigabytes of data on the positioning’s 37 million customers. That led to high-profile penalties, together with all the pieces from the resignation of a state attorney in Florida to the suicide of a pastor in New Orleans.
However even after such a devastating hack, the positioning remains to be round. And scammers appear to be in all places. A few of the complaints concerned victims who at first refused to pay, solely to see the scammer then declare to be a minor, for which the implications may very well be a lot larger than embarrassment.
A lot of the complaints are about makes an attempt at extortion, however not all of them have been from individuals in dedicated monogamous relationships. Given the way in which Ashley Madison is marketed, it’s simple to know why extortionists consider the positioning is a target-rich setting for people who find themselves making an attempt to hide affairs.
The FTC redacted delicate and personal data within the complaints earlier than they have been launched to Gizmodo, making it unimaginable to independently confirm every declare. However given the widespread experiences reported from customers throughout the nation, we really feel it’s beneficial to see what customers are saying about any given services or products—whether or not it’s hidden cameras at Airbnbs, deadly flea collars, or crypto platforms like FTX.
The 45 complaints under have been edited solely barely for readability, together with capitalization, spelling, and punctuation. However the substance of every criticism hasn’t been in any other case modified. Ashley Madison didn’t reply to questions despatched on Monday about safeguards the positioning has in place for extortion makes an attempt. We’ll replace this submit if we hear again.
1) “The whole name was recorded on Skype…”
I matched with this individual on Ashley Madison and requested to video chat. It was a unadorned woman on the webcam asking for me to only watch and take part. The whole name was recorded on Skype name and threatened to leak the video to associates, household, and employers if I didn’t pay $2,000 in three installments various from $900 increments.
I didn’t ship cash and deleted all accounts and all the pieces linked to the e-mail handle that would have been used to backtrack my private data.
2) “I’ve already given her $5,000 in eBay reward playing cards…”
I met this girl on the courting website Ashley Madison. We exchanged just a few chats on that website, then moved to texting/emailing. She requested that express movies and pictures be despatched to her and I complied. Now she is threatening to reveal these. I’ve already given her $5,000 in eBay reward playing cards, and she or he desires one other $5,000 on Saturday. I’m freaking out.
3) “They took a screenshot of my profile…”
Related with an individual through chat on Ashley Madison and moved the dialog to Snapchat, after which they despatched inappropriate pictures. They took a screenshot of my profile from the AM website and added inappropriate pictures with threats of sending the doctored photograph to varied social accounts until I paid $1,000. After no reply, they dropped their demand for cash to $300. I’ve not replied or answered any of their makes an attempt to contact me.
4) “Then she began claiming to be 16…”
We met on a courting website, Ashley Madison, claiming to be 26 and began texting. Fairly quickly she wished to maneuver to Skype to provide me a present. She took a display screen recording of my face and genitals and so they began demanding I pay her or she would add the video and break my life. A number of occasions mentioning individuals on my Fb associates checklist if I didn’t pay her. I advised her this was extortion and that was a felony and threaten to report it to the police, and left it at that. Then she began claiming to be 16 and saying all this about how I might get in hassle for youngster porn, nonetheless threatening with the video. There’s no means she is 16 until she had some critical physique modification. She remains to be being belligerent and threatening me on Skype
5) “This may break my life and profession.”
I first met this particular person on Ashley Madison web site. I took some pictures exposing myself. Not a very good factor to do. I did precisely was required of me. Now they need $500 extra. I don’t have. Please assist me. This may break my life and profession.
6) “She persuaded me to take a unadorned image…”
I used to be chatting with a member on Ashley Madison courting website that moved to textual content. She persuaded me to take a unadorned image just a few nights in the past. The sender is now making an attempt to extort textual content messages between us and the bare image for $3,000.
The AshleyMadison username concerned was [redacted] and the telephone quantity used was [redacted] (as soon as the extortion itself began, in addition they referred to as and texted me utilizing [redacted].
7) “They then threatened to unfold the video across the web saying that I’m harassing underage ladies.”
They wished to have a horny video chat together with nudity. After some time of us masturbating collectively the video feed shut off and so they mentioned they recorded the video. They then threatened to unfold the video across the web saying that I’m harassing underage ladies. The girl within the video was not underage, and I met her by way of Ashley Madison, so I used to be underneath the impression she was 26. They preserve threatening me to ship them cash or they’ll ship a pornographic video of me across the web and social media. They need me to ship $1,000 {dollars} by way of PayPal to them to delete the video.
8) “She confirmed me her feminine elements…”
I was on the Ashley Madison web site and this individual began a chat with me and we went to Skype to video name and she or he confirmed me her feminine elements and requested to indicate mine and I did. They then took photos of me and video bare. Now they’re asking me to ship cash or else they’ll submit that on-line that I’m a pedophile with my title and photos connected to it. they contacted me via textual content and skype
[redcated] that is the quantity they contacted me
and the skype ID is [redacted]
9) “They reached out to me once more as we speak (6/20/2022), and despatched me a screenshot of the specific video being despatched on to my mom and cousin through Fb Messenger.”
On 6/19, I initiated on-line contact with a person claiming to be a 29 12 months outdated girl on the net utility, Ashley Madison. We engaged in banter all through the day and the person requested we video name to have interaction in a sexual method over the web. This person referred to as me through Microsoft’s Skype utility and she or he gave the impression to be calling through laptop webcam. I greeted the person and so they responded in textual content saying they may not voice chat as a result of their aunt was within the different room. I agreed to those phrases. They then ended the decision and despatched me messages suggesting that they have been undressing and getting ready themselves for an intimate video name. I did a lot the identical. They began one other video name and we proceeded to have interaction in particular person sexual exercise. After a couple of minutes, the person ended their video and confirmed me that they’d been recording me the entire time. They then confirmed me my Fb profile and associates checklist threatening to ship the recording to all of them underneath the false pretenses that I used to be partaking in on-line pedophilic habits with a minor.
I’m shaken at this level. I comply with pay them $4,000 to get them to delete the video. We spend the subsequent 5 hours on-line making an attempt to push the cost by way of however encountering difficulties alongside the way in which. One was efficiently despatched through my PayPal account for a sum of $1,000. The location wouldn’t let me ship extra funds by way of through the positioning so we proceeded to try the cash transfers by way of CashApp, Moneygram, and Western Union. Western Union was the one switch to succeed nevertheless it was put underneath overview. The extortionist demanded I name the assistance quantity and ask it to be accredited. I did and the agent was in a position to put collectively that I used to be being blackmailed. He then cancelled the transaction, suggested I finish all contact with the extortionist, and safe my accounts. I did so however the extortionist bought a maintain of me the subsequent day regardless.
They reached out to me once more as we speak (6/20/2022), and despatched me a screenshot of the specific video being despatched on to my mom and cousin through Fb Messenger. I once more grew to become terrified and agreed to pay the overall beforehand agreed upon. I began by withdrawing $800 from my Chase Financial institution debit account and despatched it through direct switch by way of my native Walmart. That transaction accomplished efficiently. I then went to Walgreens to make one other direct switch through debit by way of their in-store Western Union kiosks. That sum was $500. I then did the identical an hour later by way of a distinct retailer, this time with a sum of $900, bringing the overall quantity despatched since preliminary contact to $3,200. My card then maxed out and I used to be blocked from each withdrawing and transferring cash for the subsequent 24 hours. The extortionist has laid off of me for the reason that final cost resulting from these causes, anticipating me to finish the agreed upon complete tomorrow ($621) when the 24 hour wait interval is over.
Throughout this time, I’ve seemed into this challenge and have realized that I’ve made a grave mistake. I’ve now contacted my mother and father, the native police (Garland, TX), and also you to get assist resolving this challenge. Following this report, I will probably be submitting one other report back to the Federal Commerce Fee and informing each contact I can that I’m being scammed and that they need to ignore any future contact from me or strangers by way of Fb.
10) “I despatched two nude photos of mine again…”
Met on Ashley Madison and requested me to speak outdoors the courting app. We began to make use of Sign and the scammer despatched me nude photos. I despatched two nude photos of mine again and the scammer began to threaten to share it with employer, household and associates if I don’t pay $2,000.
11) “I GOT ALL UR INFOS AND SCREENSHOT EVERYTHING”
This girl I met on ashleymadison.com acknowledged they recorded me and would leak the video to my household and associates by way of textual content messages and social media. They already texted my spouse with one of many 4 telephone numbers listed under. This individual is demanding $5,000 from me, or they’ll proceed to reveal me.
“I GOT ALL UR INFOS AND SCREENSHOT EVERYTHING FROM ASHLEY MADISON, ALL THE CONVERSATIONS PICS AND CHEATING UR DOING IM GONNA SEND IT ALL TO UR WIFE AND TO HER FREINDS AND RELATIVES NOW
We’ve got entry to your full profile information together with your pics, secret fantasies, conversations, and many others.
– from [redacted]
SEND ME $5000 AND I WILL NOT GONNA SPREAD IT DEAL OR NO DEAL?? NO TURNING BACK I WILL SPREAD THIS AND THIS WILL GONNA RUIN EVERYTHING.
u need this all to be gone and get ur self into regular once more or u need it break and hunt u for the remainder of ur life?
its ur selection
one improper reply and u
will REGRET I PROMISE
u have the possibility to finish this!!
– from [redacted]
12) “Once I did we exchanged nudes…”
Was on the Ashley Madison web site when somebody reached out to me and wished to speak through the Sign app. Once I did we exchanged nudes and the individual than threatened to submit them throughout Fb and different social media until I paid $1,500.
13) “…requested for cash so as to not publish it on social media.”
A lady underneath the title of [redacted] met on Ashley Madison (nickname [redacted] share her telephone quantity then requested to affix her on a video chat on Skype after which despatched photos of the recorded horny video and requested for cash so as to not publish it on social media. I instantly closed the connection and all of the accounts and I didn’t share any particulars of my identification earlier than. Her skype ID is Skype: [redcated]
14) “I used to be weak and did this as a result of I’ve been alone for a while now.”
I used to be scammed into doing a Skype name there she began to undress so I confirmed my personal elements as a result of she mentioned she was attractive. However then I needed to cling up the decision. Then began to textual content me telling me all of relations information which I believed was confidential on Skype. She then threatened to e-mail all of them the display screen shot of me exhibiting my privates until I did her a favor. I used to be so scared I simply deleted Skype and that account and in addition deleted the Ashley Madison account as properly. I’m going via a divorce and I nonetheless love my spouse and possibly wished to work it out. I used to be weak and did this as a result of I’ve been alone for a while now. I really feel extra damaged hearted now. Cant belief anybody.
15) “Saying I used to be a baby molester…”
Met on Ashley Madison was advised to Skype requested to indicate myself and so they made a poster with my image saying I used to be a baby molester then threatened me with exhibiting household and associates.
16) “Client acknowledged he despatched $1,000 by way of PayPal…”
Client acknowledged that he was on a courting web site Ashley Madison, she recorded him and wished cash or submit it on-line. Client acknowledged she advised him she was a part of a modeling company employed to do it. Client acknowledged he despatched $1,000 by way of PayPal and wished $400 extra to assist her aunt. Client didn’t comply. Client is referred to IC3.GOV.
17) “…now they’re making an attempt to blackmail me.”
Met an individual on a web-based courting website (Ashley Madison)…dialog transitioned to texting. We exchanged some express pictures and now they’re making an attempt to blackmail me.
18) “I’m single too.”
Went onto Ashley Madison and somebody that was single messaged me so I messaged them again. I’m single too. They shared a nude photograph of them after which I shared one in every of myself. Then after that, they wished cash to not share to social media to individuals I do know. I haven’t despatched any cash but.
19) “She mentioned I must pay her $3,500 for deleting all movies and photos.”
I used to be contacted by a woman on Ashley Madison web site. She mentioned she is married and searching for nsa enjoyable. She gave me her e-mail [redacted] and mentioned she is from Atlantic, Iowa. We had good dialog time to time, nothing sexually associated, I despatched her my photos from the journey I had, not sexually associated once more. She by no means despatched me any photos. Then she requested me to go to Google chat and proceed there. Sooner or later she mentioned she wished to video chat with me. I agreed, however as soon as we linked, she mentioned she has shock for me, took off her garments and began masturbate proper in entrance of the digital camera. Then she requested me to indicate her my intimate organ, which I did present. I needed to end this video chat early as a result of I used to be in a rest room in a public place. She insisted to proceed. I refused. And after that she despatched me screenshots from our video chat and threaten me she would ship it to all my associates, household and family members, to my work place and everywhere in the social media. She mentioned I must pay her $3,500 for deleting all movies and photos. And she or he gave me e-mail handle, linked to her PayPal account [redacted]. And her title was [redacted], which might be faux.
20) “…mentioned she was underage when her Ashley Madison profile claimed 20s.”
Pretended to be a love encounter on Ashley Madison web site and ultimately bought me onto a Skype video session the place the mutual masturbation was recorded and performed again to me. The individual threatened to unfold it and mentioned she was underage when her Ashley Madison profile claimed 20s.
21) “I blocked the primary quantity…”
I used to be on the Ashley Madison courting website and acquired a message. We exchanged numbers to fulfill up for a enjoyable evening. We ship one another photographs and am now being threatened with having my photographs and nude pics being shared. I blocked the primary quantity [redacted] and now am being threatened with one other quantity.
22) “A woman messaged me and advised me she discovered my spouse’s title…”
[Redacted] signed up on a courting web site referred to as Ashley Madison. A woman messaged me and advised me she discovered my wives title, Fb, and our residence handle and is demanding $2,000 or she was going to ship the knowledge from my profile to my spouse. She claimed to me [redacted] and gave me these WhatsApp numbers [redacted] and [redacted].
23) “Then she threatened to ship my nudes on-line and to all my associates.”
She claimed to be a 32 ladies. I meet her on Ashley Madison and than switched to Snapchat. The place she wished to mess around with me and she or he wished to see my dick photos. She acted fascinated about wanting to fulfill. Then she threatened to ship my nudes on-line and to all my associates. Snapchat title was [redacted]. I reported her to Snapchat. Than she texted me threatening to ship these nudes if I didn’t so what she wished.
24) “I noticed the contact checklist they threatened me with and the names seemed legit at first…”
This was an account on a courting web site Ashley Madison courting website, the place we chatted after which did a Skype assembly the place we have been each bare. Then all the sudden they began demanding that I pay them $2,000 or they have been going to ship out a recording of me bare to my contacts. I noticed the contact checklist they threatened me with and the names seemed legit at first so I tried to ship them $1000 with an app referred to as Ramedy and utilizing GCASH to somebody named [redacted] at [redacted] – Reference is [redacted].
Did the identical course of with $500 however I feel it failed however the reference was [redacted].
The scammer retains calling me and I preserve ignoring them if somebody can get in contact with me ASAP [redacted].
25) “I’ve a sense this isn’t going to cease…”
On 6/19 I met a girl named [redacted] on the Ashley Madison courting website. We exchanged telephone numbers and she or he texted me. She requested me to obtain Skype so we might video chat. As soon as I did that I used to be recorded on Skype in a sexual compromising place. They confirmed me the recording after which a listing of a few of private contacts. They mentioned they’d ship the video to my contacts if I didn’t ship them $1,500. They first tried to obtain cost by way of Western Union and PayPal however the the transactions have been rejected. The one firm that allowed the cost to by way of was Moneygram (who I additionally reported this data to). These are the names they gave me of the individuals to ship the cash to. [redacted] After I paid them they then requested for more cash. I’ve a sense this isn’t going to cease and I don’t know what to do.
26) “This isn’t true…”
Was on Ashley Madison and bought a message from a scammer, all was regular until they saved asking for nude pics. I discovered a pic on-line and despatched it to them then they mentioned they’re gonna ship it to individuals. I’ve each numbers that have been used and so they additionally mentioned I used to be contacted a minor for intercourse. This isn’t true I’ve all of the messages from this individual and each numbers they used to contact me. They then mentioned they’d ship it to individuals on my social media, listed below are the numbers they used: [redacted] and this one after I mentioned this can be a rip-off [redcated], in addition they acknowledged I like this recreation babe, I’ve all of the textual content messages they despatched and the threats that they made.
27) “Scammer threatening to reveal my nude pics and inform my spouse…”
On-line courting website. Scammer threatening to reveal my nude pics and inform my spouse about what I did until I pay $2,000. Cellphone quantity is [recacted]. This occurred on Ashley Madison.
28) “THEY ASKED TO PAY THEM 500$ BY WESTERN UNION I DID, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO ASK MORE AND MORE.”
I MET SOMEONE THRU ASHLEY MADISON AND WE START TALKING IN PRIVATE AND I SHARED EXPLICIT PICTURES OF MYSELF AND IT WAS A FAKE PROFILE AND PERSON. THEY ASKED TO PAY THEM 500$ BY WESTERN UNION I DID, BUT THEY CONTINUE TO ASK MORE AND MORE. THEY WANT TO EXPOSE THIS PICTURES ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA, TO FRIENDS AND MY FAMILY DEVICES: IPHONE XR ACCOUNTS: FACEBOOK, THEY WILL PUT ALL THE PHOTOS TO MY CLOSEST PEOPLE SUSPECT DETAILS SUSPECT NAME: ON THE WEBSITE ASHLEY MADISON THEIR NAME WAS [redacted] CURRENTLY THEY COMUNICATE ONLY BY TEXT MESSAGES THE NUMBERS ARE [redacted] SUSPECT PHONE #: [redacted] SUSPECT WEBSITE: [redacted]
COUNTRY: PHILIPPINES SUSPECT OTHER DETAILS: THIS IS THE NAME OF THE RECEIVER AT THE PHILIPPINES:[redacted] OTHER TRANSACTION: INCIDENT DESCRIPTION THEY HAVE EXPLICIT IMAGES OF ME AND ASK ME TO PAY MONEY TO A WESTERN UNION ACCOUNT. THIS IS THE INFORMATION OF THE WESTERN UNION TRANSACTION IN THE PHILIPPINES YOUR MONEY HAS BEEN SENT. IT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN [redacted] MOBILE WALLET BY 02/02/2022. TELL US ABOUT YOUR TRANSFER EXPERIENCE AT [redacted] YOU CAN TRACK YOUR TRANSFER ANYTIME BY DOWNLOADING OUR APP. THANK YOU FOR USING WESTERN UNION?
29) “She wished cash or would launch my video to public…”
I was on courting website Ashley Madison and this so referred to as 27 12 months outdated feminine with no image contacted me first by textual content system. She recommended very shortly we depart and get onto Skype. I didn’t have Skype on my telephone and did ultimately set up it after half-hour. Feminine texting me gave me her password [redacted] to get Skype working. however I by no means noticed anybody on Skype for 10 minutes, she simply saved texting me main me down this street of destruction asking me to take my garments off and she or he would do identical. 5 minutes later a feminine in video got here up on Skype for first time and we interacted for one minutes. Then textual content got here up stating she wished cash or would launch my video to public. I assume feminine was a faux video performed again to me however i don’t know for certain. Didn’t appear actual or in time with state of affairs. Scammer did play again on Skype my a part of video for me to see they’d caught me on video. Scammers left two textual content on my cell telephone. 1st [redacted], I tracked this down as landline in Independence Ohio, [redcacted] Co. Identify got here up briefly om my telephone throughout this textual content and house owners title was [redacted. 2nd [redacted] (proprietor) [redacted] at [redacted]. I by no means seen a reputation come up whereas texting me. I did delete each from my cellphone however telephone nonetheless retains file of two deleted. I did delete Skype from my telephone. I dont use the e-mail handle anymore. My analysis on handle got here from whitepages.com.
30) “The video was titled PERVERT MANIAC…”
Feminine particular person impersonated an occasion in Ashley Madison app. Alias in app is unknown nevertheless it was one thing like [redacted], with no image. Particular person claimed to be a flight attendant. Particular person shifted medium to plain texting. I later found this was to amass my telephone quantity. Particular person used [redacted]. Particular person then shifted medium to Hangouts app. It was later found this was to amass my e-mail handle and file me in a compromising video. Particular person used [redacted] account with Girl in Crimson because the username. Particular person has brown shoulder size hair and operated telephone and laptop computer to speak. Particular person then used their YouTube channel that begins Girl within the to provoke a brand new video to her channel. The video was titled PERVERT MANIAC and the outline describes me as initiating contact together with her, that she is simply 15 and that the viewers ought to name the police on me. It included my title, telephone quantity, e-mail handle and a display screen seize of the video. The person took a display screen shot of the but unsubmitted YouTube video and texted it to me on the Hangouts app and repeatedly threatened to submit it to the web for my family and friends until I make a deal. It was at the moment I ended all communication with the person. I tried to report the person to Ashley Madison however her account was already deleted.
31) “I did buy the reward playing cards”
I met a girl on Ashley Madison and foolishly gave her my telephone quantity.
We started chatting utilizing KIK and I despatched compromising photos of myself. The person then confirmed me a compiled image of these with an image of my spouse and her telephone quantity and demanded $2,000 in Apple reward playing cards in any other case they’d break my life.
In my haste, I did buy the reward playing cards and despatched the photographs to the person. Not surprisingly, they then demanded $1,000 to delete the pictures from their onerous drive. I advised them Id have to attend till I used to be paid on 3 December to ship the extra cash, which isn’t true.
I’ve no intention of sending more cash and I’ve begun locking down all social media websites, altering passwords, ordering new bank cards, and many others.
I deleted the message with the telephone quantity, however I can see about retrieving it if it’s going to assist.
Their Ashley Madison profile is/was: [redacted]. I’ve the Apple reward card numbers if that’s useful, too.
I will be reached through e-mail at [redacted] if I can assist within the investigation.
32) “Then she recorded my embarrassing conversations…”
I consider I’m a sufferer of an organized crime community that’s extorting individuals by invading their privateness.
That is the story: I bought to know (yesterday, Nov 29, 2021) somebody by way of a courting app (Ashley Madison) and gave her my quantity. We began texting after which she requested me to video name her by way of google hangout.
Then she recorded my embarrassing conversations together with her and threatened to add and ship that video to my household and Fb associates.
She claimed her title is [redacted] and she or he lives in Centreville, Virginia.
That is the faux quantity that she was utilizing: [redacted].
Since then, I’ve deactivated my social media accounts however I’m nonetheless involved about the potential for publishing that video on-line and sending its hyperlink to my family and friends.
Thanks upfront in your help.
33) “I paid $200 however then they requested for more cash”
I used to be sexting with somebody I met on Ashley Madison web site after which they turned the dialog round and advised me if I didnt pay them cash they have been going to launch the image to my family and friends. I paid $200 however then they requested for more cash to delete them as a result of they wanted extra. I’m making an attempt to delay from paying extra however they discovered a few of my household on Fb and are threatening to ship them a message.
34) “I advised them that I didn’t have that cash”
A person contacted me by way of the app Ashley Madison we started a dialog by way of the app and I recommended we speak by way of e-mail. Scammer recommended textual content so I agreed. She despatched delicate photos and despatched delicate photos again by way of textual content. We talked slightly bit and the subsequent day I acquired a textual content that mentioned we bought you now and so they demanded $2,000 {dollars} or they’d inform my spouse and a complete checklist of my contacts. I advised them that I didnt have that cash and that they need to proceed with the rip-off.
35) “Then she bought into my Fb account”
I contact an individual that I met on Ashley Madison. She wished to video skype me after which begin asking me to indicate my self whereas recording the chat. Then she bought into my Fb account and started to inform me that he or she was going to add my data to all my contacts on fb if I didn’t ship cash to the e-mail PayPal account.
36) “I made a deal and wired some cash”
Member was on Ashley Madison. Emails have been exchanged after which numbers. Images have been exchanged after which they threatened me that they’d submit them on-line. I made a deal and wired some cash and mentioned was deleted. Subsequent day they textual content me saying they wished extra. I’ve not replied and I do know its a rip-off. They’re now utilizing a second quantity to ship pictures that weren’t deleted.
37) “As a school scholar this will break my life”
They contacted me by way of Ashley Madison courting app and ask to Skype after which ask for my social media like Fb after which threatened me to ship it to my pal checklist. They seem to have recorded me whereas on Skype. I’m actually scared, as a school scholar this will break my life.
38) “To my continued disgrace I mentioned I would not have that a lot cash”
I subscribed to Ashley Madison, a courting website. Somebody who claimed to be [redacted] on the positioning emailed me to ask them to hangouts on that app, the individual confirmed the photograph used on the Ashley Madison website. Once I seen the individual wasn’t shifting they mentioned digital camera points. they then invited me to begin sexting, and being the silly outdated man that i’m, and to my nice disgrace, I did. Once I mentioned your flip, they confirmed a video of me doing what they requested and mentioned I must pay $1,500 or they’d ship it to all of my associates and family members on Fb.
To my continued disgrace I mentioned I would not have that a lot cash, in order that they requested how a lot I had, I mentioned I had $689.55, in order that they mentioned ship $650 by wire switch, I then requested if I did would that get me off the hook. They mentioned it will. I despatched the cash through Western Union payable to [redacted], within the Philippines. Once I advised the individual that I despatched it, they knew that WU would name to confirm that it wasn’t a rip-off and advised me how to reply to the questions.
After they verified that the cash had been picked up I requested if I used to be now off the hook, they then mentioned no that they solely agreed to my request to make sure I might ship cash. Then mentioned, I might have till Friday June 4 to ship the extra $850.
I really feel sure that that won’t cease and they’ll proceed.
Are you able to assist?
39) “One way or the other she was in a position to get my Fb profile”
Whereas utilizing a courting app (ashley madison) I used to be contacted by an person [redacted], we talked slightly after which exchanged telephone numbers. We began texting after which I used to be give her username to speak through Skype app. The username I used to be given was [redacted].
Then we talked utilizing the Skype and and she or he video referred to as me. I used to be recorded with out my consent after which after the decision she shared the display screen and confirmed me what had been recorded. One way or the other she was in a position to get my Fb profile and screenshotted and movie of my Fb web page and copied my contacts.
I used to be advised by this [redacted] to not ignore or block her texts, if not she would proceed to add the video on the web and ship it to my household and associates if I didn’t pay her $800.
I moist to the police station as a result of I saved getting texts blackmailing me with this and so they gave me the FBI data to file a report. I used to be instructed not to reply to the texts.
the primary textual content I acquired got here from telephone quantity [redacted] and once I stopped replying I bought extra texts from telephone quantity [redated] stating that the video was going to be uploaded and distributed to my household and associates on Fb to destroy my lie as a result of I refused to ship the cash or reply to the textual content messages.
40) “I’m completely terrified of this photograph getting out and am shedding my sanity”
I joined an grownup chat website (Ashley Madison), and an individual (named [redacted], or [redacted], based on them) contacted me wanting to speak. After coaxing me, they requested a nude photograph with my face, and I reciprocated. They then threatened me with blackmail, saying they’d ship the photograph to my Fb associates, household, co-workers, and place of job, and many others. They demanded that I ship $500 to their sister [redacted] within the Philippines for his or her tuition, and so they demanded it inside a sure timeframe or face the implications of my household receiving the photograph.
I performed a complete of two transactions: one on PayPal and the opposite by way of www.worldremit.com. They saved pushing me to ship them $500 U.S. (roughly 23,000 Filipino pesos). I attempted PayPal, which didn’t work instantly, and they also pressured me to ship through worldremit.com. Therefore, I despatched a complete of two transactions. I’m ready to be reinstated for one by PayPal. I’ve alerted PayPal to the fraud and am awaiting a ruling. The transaction by way of www.worldremit.com has processed ($500). They promised that they’d not ship the photograph out to my acquaintances if I complied with this (mainly extortion).
After sending the primary spherical of cash, they then requested for extra (after all). I refused and have blocked them on Google Hangout, their telephone quantity, and I plan to close down the Ashley Madison account as properly, although I’ve not reported this to them. I’ve reported the incident to the native police, the FBI (www.ic3.gov) and now right here. I’m completely terrified of this photograph getting out and am shedding my sanity. Please assist. I’ve by no means been duped like this, however this was completely disarming.
41) “My husband found that they’d made a faux profile”
My husband acquired texts threatening that they’d name me and inform me that he was supposedly on a web site referred to as Ashley Madison if he didn’t ship three $500 Apple reward playing cards to Lengthy Dayz Switch LLC. My husband found that they’d made a faux profile on the Ashley Madison web site about him and so they additionally despatched pictures of the display screen to him. They have been utilizing the telephone quantity [redacted].
They then started calling and texting me and advised me the identical data nevertheless it was from the telephone quantity [redacted]. My husband and I had already talked and knew that this was a rip-off all alongside. I seemed up the enterprise, which has a listed handle about 45 miles north of the place I dwell, that they mentioned to ship the reward playing cards to and I found that they’d made a faux LinkedIn profile utilizing my maiden title [redacted] the place it lists me because the proprietor/administrator. I’ve contacted LinkedIn to take away the profile.
The person on the telephone didn’t present their title or some other data to both of us.
42) “I by no means paid as a result of I actually don’t care in the event that they unfold the video.”
I used to be on Ashley Madison (word I’m a single man, not in a relationship) searching for some enjoyable. Was contacted by somebody by the person title of [redacted] claiming to be a 29 12 months outdated girl getting a divorce. They gave me a telephone variety of [redacted] and we texted. Then they wished to do a Skype name within the nude. I fell for it. They referred to as me, and there was a nude girl on the opposite finish and I used to be nude too. They abruptly hung up after a couple of minute of this then texted me a number of occasions saying they’d submit my nude video throughout the web and ship it to my family and friends if I didn’t pay ransom. I by no means paid as a result of I actually don’t care in the event that they unfold the video. I’m not ashamed of my physique or about what I did and I can cope with slightly humiliation if I’ve to, however I do wish to defend others and assist catch this scammer. Most individuals on Ashley Madison are married individuals trying to have an affair as you in all probability already know so I think about its an important goal for scammersblackmailers. I reported them to Ashley Madison and to Microsoft through the Skype app and I after all am contacting you. The Skype handle of the one that contacted me is [redacted].
43) “…now saying that they’re 15 years outdated.”
We met on Ashley Madison, we exchanged emails then telephone numbers. She mentioned she was 24 by way of texts. Had a video chat on Skype and she or he recorded the video chat to threaten me with. I paid them $500 usd by way of PayPal to get them to depart me alone, they contacted me Monday 2/15 through textual content message demanding more cash, now saying that they’re 15 years outdated.
44) “I do know it’s BS…”
My father handed away fairly a while in the past and I management his e-mail account now, I acquired a blackmail message from somebody claiming to have data of him dishonest on Ashley Madison, I do know it’s BS as a result of the person title is one in every of my private person names and I did go to that sight once I went by way of a divorce in order that they have half of my data and by some means bought half of my deceased fathers data.
45) “After a short time, she flashed my photographs again to me, posted contact data for individuals I knew”
Met a woman on a courting website (Ashley Madison) that claimed to be referred to as [redacted]. She contacted me and we chatted over textual content (outdoors the web site). She had me get on a video chat (Google Hangouts) at which level we bought bare and performed with ourselves. After a short time, she flashed my photographs again to me, posted contact data for individuals I knew (I assume from one of many information breaches) and advised me I wanted to ship $1,000 to her or she would ship the video to all my contacts. I bought the PayPal handle that the funds have been to be despatched to [redacted] and despatched $1. This transaction has been reported to PayPal and hopefully it may be used towards this ring of people.
Have you ever been the sufferer of an extortion try and wish to inform your story? Ship us a tip at mnovak@gizmodo.com.
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