This is a message of warning to everyone involved in the hobby, but particularly ladies visiting NYC.

I was robbed this morning by a client. The guy was african-american, 6'2" tall, approximately 185lbs, lean, and wore a thin goatee. He acted nervous and odd at first...and when our time progressed he claimed to be a police officer. He used handcuffs to restrict me and proceeded to search my room. All he was looking for was money...and he found what I had earned today.

In the years that I have been doing this, I have never had such an experience. Typically, I am cautious and wary. However, today I let me guard down and I paid for it. There are a few lessons that I learned today:

1. Always go with your instinct.
2. Screen ALL clients.
3. Never keep your money in your room.
4. A police officer rarely works alone.
5. Demand that the "officer" show you ID before complying.

To the guys out there, please don't take offence when a girl asks you for screening information. Idiots like this are out there. We know that they are few and far between, but we must protect ourselves. If you are uncomfortable providing personal details, you can always offer a reference.

During the time that he was with me he claimed that he would be targeting other ladies visiting NYC. Please, please be careful. He doesn't appear to be physically violent...but you never know. I do have further details that I can give to ladies that want to protect themselves. Just email me at [email protected] and I will be glad to share.

Stay safe!

Shivani

-- Modified on 2/3/2004 4:19:43 PM

Sorry to hear this happened. Be careful out there people.

Just recently a hobbyist posted that he was ripped off by a provider, and some of us encouraged him to reveal her identity and he did. This is protection for all hobbyists.   Should we encourage providers do the same thing? I think we should, to protect all providers. Your thoughts.

My thoughts on this subject are the same as yours HotForPros.

I'm very sorry, that you had to go through this! I do remember you, as I gave you, a reference for a client awhile back.

I feel for you Sweetie, as I have been robbed before on tour, myself! NOT FUN! Thank god, that I wasn't handcuffed, as I would have freaked out!

The client, that robbed me was Screened, so Nothing is Ever 100 percent! Please,Stay Safe ladies and ALWAYS go with your gut feelings!

Thanks Again for the information, I do appreciate it, as I do travel to NYC! Maybe you should post some info about him on the board, you could even use an alias, if it would make you feel safer!

Keep your Chin Up!
You are in my thoughts and prayers,
Hugs,
Kelly in Phoenix

-- Modified on 2/3/2004 5:25:55 PM

How did you get out of the cuffs?  Hope you filed a police report with a description did not have to mention that you were a working girl just a biz women working as a consultant, remember even pros can get raped and win in court against their attacker.

The thing most of these "men" (and I use that term very loosely) count on is that because we are providers we will not call the cops. Having someone come to your room is not against the law but him robbing you, restraining you against your will and impersonating a police officer is. While I can understand most ladies might hesitate to call the cops the only thing that will stop this guy is either getting caught or getting killed. I just hope one of US doesn't get hurt first.
 On a side note this sounds strangely familiar to a friend of mine working in Brooklyn who after the session was told she was under arrest and told to put her hands behind her back to be cuffed. I can't remember if he did actually have cuffs with him but I do know that when she started to get extremely upset he started laughing and just shrugged it off, this insident happened a little over a year ago if I'm not mistaken. And she had not been robbed either. There was also talk of another provider that this same exact senario happened except he had an accompliss a girl, she was supposed to be a cop as well and she entered after the guy told the provider he was a cop. That provider however was robbed. The guy and girl (fake cops) said they would just take the money and "forget" about it.
 Girls the worst thing that is going to happen if it is a cop is you'll spend the night in a holding pen and go before a judge in the morning and then go home, thats the WORST CASE senario. (Granted, who the heck wants that!!?) Don't be intimidated because someone tells you they have authority. ALWAYS ask for ID.
Good luck Shivani and thanks for the heads up. As for me I think I'll stick to Long Island.
Sam

Thank you all for your kind words. It means a lot to me. Thank you.

At the moment, I do not feel comfortable "outing" this guy completely. Honestly, I cannot see a benefit...beyond a public lynching. What I am willing to do is provide that information to any lady that wants to protect herself. I think that addresses the issue of safety without taking drastic measures.

As an update, I have heard from two separate ladies in NYC that have seen this guy in the past two days. The first happened last night. After the session, the guy took all that she had...but left her unharmed. The other happened this evening. Luckily, the woman in question had an uneasy feeling about him and told him to leave.

Keep in mind that he is unwilling to provide a picture ID as proof of his identity.

Shivani

Thanks for sharing your experience - highly appreciated as I am visiting NYC myself. I like your website. All the best, Bella from Florida.

No intent of disrespect, but I just looked at your website and it states that you require a DEPOSIT sent through paypal (which is traceable to the individual and account-thereby giving you a name, address and ISP, and next you require a photo ID.
So how with all these safe-guards you had were you able to be robbed and cuffed.
Still how did you get out of the cuffs, that you never explained in your post.  Locksmiths ask questions-even from pretty girls.

..but getting id'd is not going to prevent him from robbing you anyway.

i think the only way for providers to protect themselves is to not work singley.

that most all the providers i've been with network with each other.  i would think spreading the word THAT way is quicker than TER.

I will email you for more info. I am so glad you are unharmed (body wise) Big Hugs,Devin Taylor

Thank you for posting this ,  I will email you.  Hugs and I hope you are ok!!

no,,,one shouldn't be "upset" if the provider wants to id you, however, anonymity being a client's best ally, imo, because one can never tell what the provider is up to, i would rather go elsewhere feeling secure in my anonymity.

i'm just not hard up enough to show personnal id.

providers have a wider, faster network between themselves than TER to get info passed around.

as a high end screening service. we provide a security guard for all new clients. its part of the cost of doing business. Once we know the client we no longer use security. Security runs $75 per hour they wait down stairs and have you read the id as the client produces it.  A small price to pay.. we have never had problems because of this deterant.
Lastly this same guy ws booking girls at Xmas and saying he was a cop and if they hand over  money they wont be in jail for the holidays.

Yes perhaps it's a stunt to attract attention to a high priced provider.

I dont ubderstand why you wouldn't out this guy , he deserves it.