For years, OnlyFans has been praised for giving sex workers unprecedented control over their own business and customer base. But this investigation reveals that third parties have corrupted this promise of empowerment on an international scale, exploiting marginalised workers, and profiting from content that doesn't belong to them in the first place. While sex workers are sounding the alarm, both law enforcement and tech platforms are powerless - or simply unwilling - to stop what's happening.
Various actors have found ways to exploit both content creators and marginalised workers, such as chatters for hire, who communicate on behalf of creators. They siphon off much of their income while offering little in return; they create lucrative financial models based entirely on creators' stolen content; and they even exploit and abuse them. In doing so, these groups not only force creators to face financial losses: they also deepen the stigma against sex workers, endanger their physical and mental safety - and make their work increasingly precarious.
Through in-depth interviews, OSINT techniques and undercover reporting, this investigation reveals how the scammers profit — and sex workers and other marginalised workers pay the price.
Photo credit: Wesley Tingey/ Unsplash
