I was emotionally manipulated and financially exploited by Roberta Gabriela Ticarau, a Romanian woman who also goes by the online alias “VanessaEsther.” I first spoke to her on an adult video chat site during a time of personal distress. I wasn’t looking for a relationship — I was looking for someone to talk to. She took advantage of that vulnerability. After gaining my trust, she began inventing crisis after crisis — claiming she was in legal trouble, needed money for medical issues, had no rent, or needed help with a pregnancy. She played on empathy, guilt, and my mental health struggles to push me into sending money. Each time, she promised to pay it back or said her family would — but the excuses and delays never stopped. When I stopped sending money and began seeking help, she escalated to sextortion — threatening to release private content unless I withdrew any complaints. She has also tried to reverse the narrative by claiming I initiated the sexual element of our conversations, which is untrue. I had asked for that to stop and made my boundaries clear. She preys on people going through difficult periods in their life. She uses emotional pressure, false promises, and shame to keep victims quiet. If you encounter Roberta Gabriela Ticarau or “VanessaEsther”, do not engage. She is dangerous and manipulative.

This person send me a personal video I don’t know how he get my personal pictures and he tell me if I not pay him $1600 he will post my pictures on internet I was very scared I don’t know what to do so I send him $800 using Zell but when he find out I just send $800 he start tell me that he was a member one the cartels he have my mother location he will cut my mom head and he will send he’s people to pick me up oh my I was not even sleeping in my house cuz I was so scared and I have to move my mom out it was very scare

Started with a Whatsapp message including information about my brother, a FB photo of my brother and porn pictures that aren't my brother. They were accusing my brother of being a pedophile. They are wanting a ransom from my brother. They are threatening to contact my female clients if my brother doesn't pay a ransom. They are calling/texting/emailing me non-stop. I haven't spoken to them because I immediately recognized this as a scam.

I received a phone call this morning at 8:12am from a male who stated his name and that he was an FBI agent who has 5 Nigerian citizens in custody regarding sex trafficking, sextortion and a few other things. He said he has a file with my sons name stating that he was involved. He asked why I did not respond to a letter they sent to my home address (he read my address). I said I had not received anything in the mail. He asked why my son was involved in the case, he started to ask another question and I told him I wasn't comfortable answering more questions over the phone, he cut me off repeated his name and department and then said "nevermind, if you don't want to help, we will send someone to arrest your son" and then hung up. I hired a private investigator for a sextortion issue my teen son was involved in 2 years ago (02/03/23). I paid the private investigator and bought the extended plan that meant the investigator would monitor things for two years (internet, social media accounts). I believe the person that called might actually be from the Private Investigator - Digital Forensics Corp in an attempt to scam me into hiring them again. They were very pushy to get us to pay, discouraged us from working with the school and local police and now I am thinking this is another tactic of theirs to get more business from us. I wanted to report this incase they do it to others.

I know that calling 412xxx-xxxx or visiting xxxx ********* Ridge Circle would be a better way to reach you in case you don't take action. Don't try to escape from this. You've no idea what all I can do in ********** I suggest you read this message carefully. Take a moment to chill, breathe, and analyze it thoroughly. We're talking about something serious here, and I ain't playing games. You don't know anything about me but I know ALOT about you and right now, you are thinking how, correct? Well, you've been treading on thin ice with your browsing habits, scrolling through those videos and venturing into the darker corners of cyberspace. I placed a Malware on a porn website & you visited it to watch(you get my drift). And while you were busy watching our videos, your systemstarted working as a RDP (Remote Control) which gave me total control over your device. I can peep at everything on your screen, flick on your camand mic, and you wouldn't even notice. Oh, and I've got access to all your emails, contacts, and social media accounts too. Been keeping tabs on your pathetic existence for a while now. It's just your bad luck that I saw your misadventures. I gave in more time than I probably should have exploring into your data. Extracted quite a bit of juicy info fromyour system. and I've seen it all. Yeah, Yeah, I've got footage of you doing embarrassing things in your room(nice setup, by the way). I then developed videos and screenshots where on one side of the screen, there's the videos you had been watching, and on the other part, its your vacant face. With simply a click, I can send this video to every single of your contacts. I see you are getting anxious, but let's get real. Wholeheartedly, I'mready to wipe the slate clean, and allow you to get on with your daily life and forget you ever existed. I amgoing to present you two alternatives. Option 1 is to turn a deaf ear my email message. Let me tell you what is going to happen if you opt this option. I will send your video to all of your contacts. The video is lit, and I can't even fathom the embarrasement you'll face when your colleagues, friends, and fam watch it. But hey, that's life, ain't it? Don't be playing the victim here. Wiser second option is to pay me, and be confidential about it. We will call this my “confidentiality fee”. let me tell you what happens when you select this way out. Your secret will remain your secret. I'll destroy all the data and evidence once you send payment. You have to make the payment through Bitcoin only. Pay attention, I'm telling you straight: 'We gotta make a deal'. I want you to know I'mcoming at you with good intentions. My word is my bond. Transfer Amount: USD 2000 BITCOIN ADDRESS IS: 19cueLwf9j7zGFgvasxonj2gCArKtzJxCq Let me tell ya, it's peanuts for your peace. Note: You have one day in order to transfer the amount and I will only accept Bitcoins (I've a unique pixel within this mail, and at this moment I know that you have read this message). My system will catch that Bitcoin payment and wipe out all the dirt I got on you. Don't even think about replying to this or negotiating, it's pointless. The email and wallet are custom-made for you, untraceable. If I catch that you've shared or discussed this mail with someone else, your video will instantly start getting sent to your contacts. And don't even think about turning off your phone or resetting it to factory settings. It's pointless. I don't make mistakes, B. Honestly, those online tips about covering your camera aren't as useless as they seem. I am waiting for my payment..

Sextortion scam where they stated they took control of the phone because of a porn website

This was a "sextortion" threatening to expose my porn viewing activity(which is 0) and show video, taken from my cell phone of intimate activity(I don't use a cell phone)as well as intimate photos I have shared(which is 0). No grammatical mistakes, obviously written by an English speaker. Requested payment of $1950. in bitcoin within 24 hours. The Bit Coin Address is: 1CjAMQaTKxJ8kHn6B75B5JHg46CWeEusP6

Scam report entered on behalf of victim by BBB Employee. The victim received an extortion email with the following text that included a photo of an old property. I know that calling ********* or visiting **** ** ********* ***** would be a convenient way to have a word with you in case you don't cooperate. Don't even try to hide from this. You have no idea what I'm capable of in Scottsdale. I suggest you read this message carefully. Take a minute to relax, breathe, and really dig into it. 'Cause we're about to discuss a deal between you and me, and I ain't playing games. You do not know anything about me whereas I know EVERYTHING about you and you must be thinking how, right? Well, you've been a bit careless lately, scrolling through those videos and venturing into the darker corners of cyberspace. I actually placed a Malware on a porn website and you accessed it to watch(you get my drift). When you were busy watching those videos, your system started functioning as a RDP (Remote Device) which gave me complete control over your device. I can peep at everything on your screen, flick on your camera and mic, and you wouldn't even notice. Oh, and I have got access to all your emails, contacts, and social media accounts too. Been keeping tabs on your pathetic existence for a while now. It's simply your bad luck that I saw your bad deeds. I invested in more time than I probably should've exploring into your personal life. Extracted quite a bit of juicy info from your system. and I've seen it all. Yeah, Yeah, I've got footage of you doing filthy things in your room (nice setup, by the way). I then developed videos and screenshots where on one side of the screen, there's the videos you had been watching, and on the other half, it is your vacant face. With simply a single click, I can send this video to all of your contacts. I feel your worry and confusion. Wholeheartedly, I am willing to wipe the slate clean, and allow you to continue with your daily life and forget you ever existed. I will provide you two alternatives. Option One is to ignore this message. Let me tell you what is going to happen if you opt this option. Your video will get sent to all your contacts. The video is lit, and I can't even fathom the humiliation you'll endure when your colleagues, friends, and fam watch it. But hey, that's life, ain't it? Don't be playing the victim here. Wiser second option is to pay me, and be confidential about it. We will call it my “privacy tip”. Lets discuss what happens if you choose this way out. Your filthy secret remains private. I'll destroy all the data and evidence once you come through with the payment. You will make the payment by Bitcoins only. I want you to know I'm aiming for a win-win here. I am a man of my words. Amount to be sent: USD 1950 BITCOIN ADDRESS IS: 18xJxocgpEc2PRbj5faQywSuMrqw4vncq8 Let me tell ya, it's peanuts for your tranquility. Important: You now have one day to make the payment and I will only accept Bitcoins (I've a special pixel within this e-mail, and now I know that you've read this e-mail). My system will catch that Bitcoin payment and wipe out all the dirt I got on you. Don't even think about replying to this or negotiating, it's pointless. The email and wallet are custom-made for you, untraceable. If I suspect that you've shared or discussed this message with anyone else, the video will instantly start getting sent to your contacts. And don't even think about turning off your phone or resetting it to factory settings. It's pointless. I don't make mistakes, *********. Can you notice something here? Honestly, those online tips about covering your camera aren't as useless as they seem. I am waiting for my payment..

I received this threatening email three time within two weeks time. My step-son and his mother also received the exact same email threats. We all live in different locations and received the emails from different names every time. The email states my full name, home address and cell number with a PDF attachment. The attachment has a full page letter stating he's been watching me through my computer camera and has been by my house (then includes a photo of my view from my house) Then says he will send a video of me doing disgusting things to all of my contacts unless I send him $2,000 via a Bitcoin account. The letter is VERY threatening and scary.

Emailed a pdf containing personal info (phone number, address, google street views) and a sextortion letter demanding money or bitcoin to be paid via QR code