Man scammed in cyber porn attack
A Brisbane man had an intimate video of himself plastered across dozens of pornography sites after he fell victim to an online scam.
According to News Limited reports, the man also had his real name and contact details published after he stopped paying money to women he believed he was in a relationship with.
The 38-year-old admits to having mental health issues that prevent him from engaging in more traditional forms of dating.
What started out as a way to meet new people, chat and start a relationship turned into a nightmare for the man who was betrayed by a woman he befriended.
His private webcam video was published on a number of pornography websites along with other contact details.
He was also defrauded of cash and credit card particulars in a second scam.
"Having a stigma of mental illness leads people to shun one in general life, even if you are generally functional and are relatively coherent," he said.
"You begin to want to avoid people for the same reason they want to avoid you. It's a negative cycle.
"I've become, over time, a little agoraphobic and socially isolated.
"That kind of led me to go online for social company."
After initially signing up with a few websites, he said many of the women were making money by getting him to click on links to verify codes.
He also says despite his suspicions being aroused by the practice, he continued to fill out forms out of loneliness.
"Something inside me said it was wrong, but then something just wanted to get past it because I wanted to meet some people," he said.
"There's very few legitimate ladies. And they are asking for this ID and its called a verification, and it's a validation and security so they can go offline.
"I remember adding a lot of people to talk to and get to know on different of levels over the years. Whether it be an intimate level or friendship level. If things turned sour in the friendship I just turned the PC off."
John started paying the girl money to offer her assistance with university tuition and food, but says when he stopped payments - threats were made.
"I terminated the relationship with her. She's kept emailing me, and then when I didn't respond, she started posting my videos.
"Each day it got more and more prolific," he said.
Detective Superintendent Brian Hay from the Corporate Crime Group told News Limited embarrassment prevents a lot of victims of the same scam from reporting to police.
"Because of the embarrassment associated with it, a lot of people aren't reporting it to police," he said.
"It's extremely intrusive and it's really difficult for these poor people who have taken someone's trust on board and surrendered their trust, and to have it turned on them like that is horrible.
"I know it's very difficult, but you've got to go to police, even if you didn't want your matter exposed," he said.
For more information about online dating scams visit www.scamwatch.gov.au
