I am a customer, a professional in my 40’s, and I am being blackmailed by a dancer. I would like to get the view of dancers and club managers if I can.
A few months ago I met a dancer in a local club. (I will keep this generic and am omitting some detail that might identify the dancers.) At the end of my first lap dance with her she gave me her phone number. It turns out she does rooms OTC and I got a private dance from her in a local hotel the next week. After that, I spoke and texted with her a number of times, we hung out together a few times, and I paid for a few breakfasts and lunches other things and gave her a few hundred dollars for various things, generally enjoying her company.
A few months later (last week), she asked if I wanted to do another room with her and another dancer. We did the room, and everything went really well, although I noticed she was a little distracted at times. No actual sex in any of my rooms with her – just doing what is allowed in the Champagne Rooms at the club.
An hour after they left, I received a text from the dancer with a photograph attached. The photo is of me and the other dancer naked and in bed, clearly taken on the dancer’s cell phone without a flash (I didn’t notice because the other dancer is across my face). The text message says that she has more photos and she will circulate them if I don’t give her money. I assume for now that I am identifiable in the photos.
Oddly, the request is for only $150. (I had just paid them way more than this plus tip for two sessions with both dancers for that night.) I know that a common extortion scheme is to start small to see how the mark will respond and then increase the demands. So, in spite of the small amount, I take the threat seriously because she could easily ask for more later. A little Internet research and some things she told me about her past and her current situation have me convinced this is a serious threat..
Well it so happens that I don’t particularly care if she circulates the photos. Although I am quite well off, there wouldn’t be any major ramifications (e.g. to work or family) if these photos are circulated, although there would of course be some embarrassment socially. I texted the dancer back right away and told her that I didn’t care what she does with the photos, that I am not giving her anything for them, that she has just committed the crimes of attempted extortion/blackmail and harassment, and a few other observations, such as she just lost a budding regular customer. She has not returned my few texts or phone calls. It's been about a week.
I filed a report with the local police. They may or may not pursue this because the dollar amount is so low, and also because the local prosecutor may not be sympathetic to victims that get themselves into this kind of trouble. I don’t know.
Here is my question: Should I contact the club and let them know that two of their dancers pulled this scam? I like the club, and I don’t think they have any awareness or involvement in this. I would hate for these two to pull this on other customers when I have the ability to warn them, and would also hate for the club’s reputation to suffer for being associated with this scam. I know how to report this to them without committing defamation myself. If the police do not pursue this the club may otherwise never know.
Dancers – would you want the club to be informed if you danced there and other dancers were doing this? Managers – would you want to be told? I assume that you would, so that you can deal with the dancers as you deem appropriate, and can be prepared if there is an investigation. But I may be wrong about this, and I don't want to make any enemies at the club. (I realize that that this will make enemies out of these two dancers, but they are already enemies.) Any other comments/advice would also be welcome.


Reply With Quote




Bookmarks