The Erie County District Attorney’s Office has alerted the community to a concerning trend involving an escort scam that has resulted in multiple robberies. Victims have reported being robbed after arranging meetings with individuals they believed to be prostitutes, according to complaints received by the DA’s office.
The scams typically begin with contact made through online dating apps and escort service advertisements. In addition to the robberies, victims have reported incidents of blackmail where women filmed explicit videos and threatened to release them online.
The scam has been documented in several areas including Amherst, Hamburg, and Lancaster with authorities suspecting that there may be additional unreported cases throughout Erie and Niagara County. Victims describe the offenders as a group of men and women who appear to be collaborating to carry out these crimes.
Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane emphasized the risks involved, stating, “I am warning residents not to engage in this high-risk behavior because patronizing a prostitute remains a crime in New York State, and they could become the victim of this robbery set-up. I cannot overstate the importance of cooperation from our community in our effort to combat crime.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact local law enforcement.
Officials Warn of Escort Scam where Prostitutes are Robbing and Blackmailing Patrons