Glad you got out of there with your health.  Scary stuff.

Just one more reason that it is time to legalize and legitimize this industry.

Sorry about your experience.

If you haven't already reported it to whichever police department is relevant, I believe that you should RIGHT NOW before the people who are behind this read this post. At this point, you have nothing to lose. The people who robbed you will be better able to figure out who you are from this post than anything you might tell to the cops. It isn't if they have a wiretap on the police department phone line or inbox. If they want to blackmail you, they already have the basis to do so anyway, and the cops are your best defense against getting drawn in deeper..

Also, it isn't as if the cops or prosecutors will feel as if they have a great case against either them or you based on your or their testimony, so I wouldn't expect that this would land you or defendant as a witness in court. You may have been attempting to commit a crime, but you failed (assuming you didn't f... her), but they succeeded in committing a bigger one. Let the police know, and perhaps they can set up a sting that would generate useful evidence to get these people off the streets or at least out of the area.

If they stole credit cards or ID you should definitely report it to the cops RIGHT NOW.

I am neither a lawyer nor a cop. Perhaps advice from one of these professions would be welcome.

.....but a google search of the phone number and ad photos should have tingled your spider senses, as well as the ad itself if you've paid attention to the boards.

Googling the phone number shows it's registered to a business in NoVa.

Searching one photo (I did the bottom one from the eros ad) directs to another review site that has the ad as a ripoff and the photo shows up on other ads across the nation.

The "normal" procedure isn't robbery nor threat, so that surprises me quite a bit, if that's what happened.

Thanks for sharing and glad you are ok.

tell tale sign

You have two phones numbers.  A business address, and an apartment address.  That's a lot of information.  I'm sure that this isn't the only criminal activity these people in to.

Are they foreign?  They could be terrorists.  We're spending a bunch of tax money on the department of homeland security.  Maybe they would want to know.  

I bet they have illegal narcotics connections.  

Do some research, hire a private investigator to gather some evidence, do something.  Since you didn't use google the first time, start using it now.  Do some research.

Get revenge.

Here's my 2 cents worth. As noted in other replies here, this provider's ad fits a pattern that experienced hobbyists around these parts recognize as a scam ring. If they are escalating to extortion it does not come as a surprise, as they are obviously bad guys in just about anybody's book.

To the OP, while I don't think it's usually never in any hobbyist's interest to voluntarily interact with the authorities, this may be an exception. As noted by another poster, (1) you did not actually commit a crime, (2) you have been the victim of a felony, and (3) as a continuing criminal enterprise these guys will be of *much* more interest to LE than you. Lastly - how much of your personal information do these guys have and how might they continue to exploit it if you *don't* take action? Not to mention that they are a pox on the DC hobby scene and you would be doing all of us a public service if, by you taking action, they could be eliminated.

This outfit has been operating for a couple years and by advertising on the web, operating across state lines and, more than likely, moving money around via online banking or wire transfers, they are probably open to all sorts of juicy wire fraud and money laundering type charges. Add extortion and it gets even more interesting to prosecutors. Prostitution is just the point of departure for this kind of prosecution. You just need to make it clear to LE that your participation is limited to the initial tip, since your risk / reward ratio of being involved in any ongoing investigation is probably way top heavy. If they push you for anything more than you feel comfortable sharing, tell them that you will need to consult your attorney before discussing anything further and end the interview. You've done your civic duty, now walk away and hope the wheels of justice grind. Maybe nothing happens; maybe some serious bad guys go to jail and quit preying on unsuspecting suckers.

Whatever you do, do not entertain any notion of 'revenge' outside of legal avenues. You have no idea what kind of criminals are behind this outfit and things could go south in a bad way for you if you try to deliver any lone wolf payback.

That will bring law enforcement fast. I wish that never would happen really hurt us all. Please be safer and only go to upscale hotels and make sure all your I's are doted and your t"s cross do you research TER is a good site to help you stay safe .
better luck next time . Regards [email protected]

This is a sobering report, and if nothing else we all owe you a thanks for sharing.  I'm no lawyer or have any experience with law enforcement.  That said, I'd urge you to consult a criminal defense lawyer before going to the police. I Agee with all that some legal action is in order, but for probably the same price as a visit to a provider , you could probably get some legal advice.

Count yourself Lucky, and a little Wiser.  There is a group (or groups) preying on the unsuspecting neophyte, or newcomer/traveler to the area, enticed by comely pictures and a cheap price (if it seems too good to be true....).  Putting them out of business is futile, few complain because of the stigma (& they'd just resurface under a new guise) and there is always new crop of unsuspecting newcomers to the area to 'harvest.'

I know I've been intrigued by some of the ads, but even a casual hobbyist is unlikely to be 'suckered' if you remember the basics and think with the Big Head.  

Tip-offs may change, but always ask, where are the reviews? And what do they say!  Never TOFTT (that is, see anyone that does not have any reviews) unless you are an Experienced Hobbyist AND know the lay of the land.  Always seek out the local adult board (like TER) and read the forums and reviews.

I really feel sorry for the unwary, like the young professional guy suckered by LE in the recent College Park sting recently reported in the WaPo (see prior thread).   It has probably ruined any sexual experience for him for the rest of his life.

-- Modified on 1/1/2013 2:15:29 PM

only an idiot would think they are going to get to fuck the girl in those pictures for 220