NYC (and beyond): Many 'new' escorts using stolen or fake photos...

[Glenn1441]

As of late, at least for NYC listings (and I'm sure all over as well), I have come across ads with photos that are, to say the least, suspicious as regards authenticity. As many Forum members and clients have pointed out in the past, Google Image Search allows you to upload photos, which in turn, can trace the photo to its origin. And more often than not, the photos are indeed those of another model or escort and not of the advertiser. I could post of list of about 10-escorts currently advertising in NYC on either Rentboy or Rentmen, all using stolen photos. And I won't bother detailing the red flags that tip me off (in short, we all have our hunches). But I think it more effective, in the long run, to do as other members have done, which is to remind the client community that:

 

If an ad's photos appear to be too good to be true, they just may be, and it's best to do some research via Image Search/Upload, to make certain the escort advertising is the man in the photos.

 

Of course, some search results point to authentic photos, but in my experience, the opposite is usually true.

 

The founder of Rentmen informed me via e-mail not too long ago that he and the folks behind Rentboy (yes, they all know one another) are well aware of the rash of fraud photos and fraudulent ads. Limited time, free ads are often offered to 'new' or fledgling escorts, or recruits if you will, by both sites, and I was informed that the practice will be minimized greatly going forward due to the notion that free ads more often than not attract hustlers, not escorts.

[maninsoma]

If the owners of those websites had an appropriate level of business scruples, they would do Image Searches of all photos submitted for online ads. Any photos that link to someone who couldn't possibly be the escort in question (for example, it's a photo of someone famous in another line of work) could automatically lead to the rejection of the entire ad. Photos that match to a model's website should be responded to with a request for a casual photo showing the same person doing something banal by request (such as holding some object). There's absolutely no reason why these websites need to make it so easy for people to place entirely bogus ads.

 

As of late, at least for NYC listings (and I'm sure all over as well), I have come across ads with photos that are, to say the least, suspicious as regards authenticity. As many Forum members and clients have pointed out in the past, Google Image Search allows you to upload photos, which in turn, can trace the photo to its origin. And more often than not, the photos are indeed those of another model or escort and not of the advertiser. I could post of list of about 10-escorts currently advertising in NYC on either Rentboy or Rentmen, all using stolen photos. And I won't bother detailing the red flags that tip me off (in short, we all have our hunches). But I think it more effective, in the long run, to do as other members have done, which is to remind the client community that:

 

If an ad's photos appear to be too good to be true, they just may be, and it's best to do some research via Image Search/Upload, to make certain the escort advertising is the man in the photos.

 

Of course, some search results point to authentic photos, but in my experience, the opposite is usually true.

 

The founder of Rentmen informed me via e-mail not too long ago that he and the folks behind Rentboy (yes, they all know one another) are well aware of the rash of fraud photos and fraudulent ads. Limited time, free ads are often offered to 'new' or fledgling escorts, or recruits if you will, by both sites, and I was informed that the practice will be minimized greatly going forward due to the notion that free ads more often than not attract hustlers, not escorts.

[marylander1940]

If the owners of those websites had an appropriate level of business scruples, they would do Image Searches of all photos submitted for online ads. Any photos that link to someone who couldn't possibly be the escort in question (for example, it's a photo of someone famous in another line of work) could automatically lead to the rejection of the entire ad. Photos that match to a model's website should be responded to with a request for a casual photo showing the same person doing something banal by request (suc as holding some object). There's absolutely no reason why these websites need to make it so easy for people to place entirely bogus ads.

 

http://www.queerty.com/corbin-fisher-and-the-54k-copyright-judgment-against-ex-performer-jake-lyons-20101223/

 

The owners of the pictures could and should do it, RB has a lot of other things to do.

[seeker630]

http://www.queerty.com/corbin-fisher-and-the-54k-copyright-judgment-against-ex-performer-jake-lyons-20101223/

 

The owners of the pictures could and should do it, RB has a lot of other things to do.

 

How?

[marylander1940]

How?

 

The owners of the copyright of the pictures should sue guys who use those pictures.

 

Please take a look at this link:

 

http://www.queerty.com/corbin-fisher...yons-20101223/

 

Jake Lyons actually modeled for Corbin Fisher, but when he got caught using a picture from Corbin Fisher, he was sued by that company because even though it was his picture, he had no right to use it.

 

Rentboy has other things to do, Corbin Fisher, Fratmen.tv, Sean Cody, etc they could make money denouncing guys who use their pictures even if they are the model who appear in those pictures.

 

(I just tried the link and is not working, please google Jake Lyons Corbin Fisher 54k copyright)

[seeker630]

The owners of the copyright of the pictures should sue guys who use those pictures.

 

Please take a look at this link:

 

http://www.queerty.com/corbin-fisher...yons-20101223/

 

Jake Lyons actually modeled for Corbin Fisher, but when he got caught using a picture from Corbin Fisher, he was sued by that company because even though it was his picture, he had no right to use it.

 

Rentboy has other things to do, Corbin Fisher, Fratmen.tv, Sean Cody, etc they could make money denouncing guys who use their pictures even if they are the model who appear in those pictures.

 

(I just tried the link and is not working, please google Jake Lyons Corbin Fisher 54k copyright)

 

You've changed issues, I think. The suggestion was that RB and other escort listing sites should take some steps to ensure that the pictures submitted actually portray the person advertising, as a means of addressing the issue of those who post someone ELSE's pictures. The Jake Lyons/Corbin Fisher case was about someone using pictures of themselves which they had no rights too.

 

Many of the 'false advertising' pix belong to individuals, not porn studios.

[marylander1940]

You've changed issues, I think. The suggestion was that RB and other escort listing sites should take some steps to ensure that the pictures submitted actually portray the person advertising, as a means of addressing the issue of those who post someone ELSE's pictures. The Jake Lyons/Corbin Fisher case was about someone using pictures of themselves which they had no rights too.

 

Many of the 'false advertising' pix belong to individuals, not porn studios.

 

I know what you mean, I got it the first time you wrote it.

 

I disagree with you, I think Rentboy SHOULDN'T check that escorts are using their pictures or stolen pictures from someone else...

 

The solution for this problem should be left to the models, sites, etc whose pictures are being used by someone else so they can contact Rentboy, ask for the pictures removal and press charges if needed.

 

Let's imagine an example:

someone from Sean Cody sees a picture that looks like a model (scenario, bed frame, pillows, landscape) finds out that the picture belongs to Sean Cody and it's used by someone on rentboy, he emails rentboy and asks for its removal or simply gets the information of the guy who's using that picture (Rentboy thanks to Alberto Gonzalez keeps a copy of an ID per account) and he presses charges against the guy who uploaded the picture. It was called: Corbin Fisher versus Jake Lyons, not versus Rentboy.

 

If you read the link Renboy wasn't/isn't responsible because an escort uses a picture from Corbin Fisher, the only thin RB has to do it check the picture doesn't include a minor and check that the poster has a valid ID of his own.

 

Steps toward making sure the pics are real?

Like a personal interview to see if the pics were photoshopped, cock size measurement, true versatility of the escort? Rentboy is a business and they don't have time for that...

 

Leave it to Sean Cody and others to defend their own property.

 

I agree with you that fake pics is a threat to this business, but at the end you and I as clients make the choice to hire or not infamous Anton Ferro and other traveling gypsies, and I don't want Rentboy to become a kind of FBI.

[Glenn1441]

The word 'should' is an MFer in my book. The improved image search feature is great and I plan to use it often. No more 411s in the Forum from me regarding an escort without reviews. I like new faces, and so, I will take it upon myself to do what I have to in order to make sure the escort is legit. And should any other 'off' vibes occur, I'm moving on.

If the owners of those websites had an appropriate level of business scruples, they would do Image Searches of all photos submitted for online ads. Any photos that link to someone who couldn't possibly be the escort in question (for example, it's a photo of someone famous in another line of work) could automatically lead to the rejection of the entire ad. Photos that match to a model's website should be responded to with a request for a casual photo showing the same person doing something banal by request (such as holding some object). There's absolutely no reason why these websites need to make it so easy for people to place entirely bogus ads.

[+ bigjoey]

And this does even address the issue of "old" pictures. Some escorts are using their own pictures so theft is not an issue BUT those pictures are 10 or 20 years old and the only accurate thing will be the escort has the same DNA!

[buttlvr99]

Many of the fake pictures are those of real models who don't escort. If I were a model whose picture was used on an escorting site I would be pissed and would sue for defamation of character. Enough of those lawsuits would slow down the use of professional model pictures.

[Frequentflier]

Would it be effective if we never paid a nickel to someone who in person wasn't the same guy in the ad? No more "I paid him $100 or something so he'd leave quietly". And likewise, who cares if the person who shows up or you see when arriving at his room is cute or not. Guys who steal the pictures of others are not trustworthy to be alone with. Give them ZERO dollars and at some point these fakers won't last long and/or word will get around that we're smart and can think with our big heads too. I think M4RN, Rentboy, Rentmen, etc could help simply by not allowing any free or low cost trial memberships (I don't know factually if they do or don't).

[seeker630]

I know what you mean, I got it the first time you wrote it.

 

I disagree with you, I think Rentboy SHOULDN'T check that escorts are using their pictures or stolen pictures from someone else...

 

The solution for this problem should be left to the models, sites, etc whose pictures are being used by someone else so they can contact Rentboy, ask for the pictures removal and press charges if needed.

 

Let's imagine an example:

someone from Sean Cody sees a picture that looks like a model (scenario, bed frame, pillows, landscape) finds out that the picture belongs to Sean Cody and it's used by someone on rentboy, he emails rentboy and asks for its removal or simply gets the information of the guy who's using that picture (Rentboy thanks to Alberto Gonzalez keeps a copy of an ID per account) and he presses charges against the guy who uploaded the picture. It was called: Corbin Fisher versus Jake Lyons, not versus Rentboy.

 

If you read the link Renboy wasn't/isn't responsible because an escort uses a picture from Corbin Fisher, the only thin RB has to do it check the picture doesn't include a minor and check that the poster has a valid ID of his own.

 

Steps toward making sure the pics are real?

Like a personal interview to see if the pics were photoshopped, cock size measurement, true versatility of the escort? Rentboy is a business and they don't have time for that...

 

Leave it to Sean Cody and others to defend their own property.

 

I agree with you that fake pics is a threat to this business, but at the end you and I as clients make the choice to hire or not infamous Anton Ferro and other traveling gypsies, and I don't want Rentboy to become a kind of FBI.

 

I think you've confused me with another poster. I'm not the one who said RB et al. should do the checking. I'm simply saying that your Jake Lyons case study isn't that relevant to the issue of FAKE pictures. In that case, the escort was actually using pictures of himself. The issue raised here was about escorts using pictures that are NOT them.

Jake's pictures weren't fake - he just didn't have the right to use them.

 

I don't expect RB to check - their primary concern is getting paid, as far as I know. But is there anything that makes their ads more reliable than backpage.com or craigslist?

 

But I'm curious about this required ID that RB keeps a copy of - if it's a picture id or driver's license with stats, they should easily catch SOME of the fakes we see.

[seeker630]

Many of the fake pictures are those of real models who don't escort. If I were a model whose picture was used on an escorting site I would be pissed and would sue for defamation of character. Enough of those lawsuits would slow down the use of professional model pictures.

 

The catch is KNOWING when their pictures are being used. Every picture ever used by a model would have to be searched individually on a regular basis.

[cany10011]

Perhaps, for nyc at least, that the rentboy drop by the rentboy office and provide visual confirmation that the pics are theirs. Too many euro flakes using professional models' pics. That would be an awesome service.

 

 

The catch is KNOWING when their pictures are being used. Every picture ever used by a model would have to be searched individually on a regular basis.

[maninsoma]

What? Collect money from advertisers -- both the escorts and all of the banner ads that pollute that site? They surely don't spend a lot of time making sure the site functions well.

 

http://www.queerty.com/corbin-fisher-and-the-54k-copyright-judgment-against-ex-performer-jake-lyons-20101223/

 

The owners of the pictures could and should do it, RB has a lot of other things to do.

[maninsoma]

I disagree with you. What if the person whose pictures were stolen has no idea someone stole his pictures to use for an escort website? It isn't even like all of the photos that are stolen are of other escorts. If that were the case, I guess you could argue that an escort should monitor the various escort websites to see if someone had stolen his images. But as I recently mentioned in another thread, one escort recently stole a couple of photos from some teenager's old Myspace page. How is that teenager supposed to know his photos have been taken and used by some stranger on an escort website unless he himself does a Google image search on all of the photos he's ever posted online for the rest of his life? That seems like a ridiculous burden to place on an individual that might not even conceive of the idea that some guy might have stolen his images for the purposes of taking people's money for sex under false pretenses. The solution, which would require ONE check of the photos, is for the site operators to investigate the photos prior to allowing them to be posted.

 

I know what you mean, I got it the first time you wrote it.

 

I disagree with you, I think Rentboy SHOULDN'T check that escorts are using their pictures or stolen pictures from someone else...

 

The solution for this problem should be left to the models, sites, etc whose pictures are being used by someone else so they can contact Rentboy, ask for the pictures removal and press charges if needed.

 

Let's imagine an example:

someone from Sean Cody sees a picture that looks like a model (scenario, bed frame, pillows, landscape) finds out that the picture belongs to Sean Cody and it's used by someone on rentboy, he emails rentboy and asks for its removal or simply gets the information of the guy who's using that picture (Rentboy thanks to Alberto Gonzalez keeps a copy of an ID per account) and he presses charges against the guy who uploaded the picture. It was called: Corbin Fisher versus Jake Lyons, not versus Rentboy.

 

If you read the link Renboy wasn't/isn't responsible because an escort uses a picture from Corbin Fisher, the only thin RB has to do it check the picture doesn't include a minor and check that the poster has a valid ID of his own.

 

Steps toward making sure the pics are real?

Like a personal interview to see if the pics were photoshopped, cock size measurement, true versatility of the escort? Rentboy is a business and they don't have time for that...

 

Leave it to Sean Cody and others to defend their own property.

 

I agree with you that fake pics is a threat to this business, but at the end you and I as clients make the choice to hire or not infamous Anton Ferro and other traveling gypsies, and I don't want Rentboy to become a kind of FBI.

[maninsoma]

Yes, Rentboy's primary concern is getting paid. That's also the main concern of the guys fraudulently using others' photos. That's why I put them in the same boat. Are you suggesting that it's reasonable for Rentboy to knowingly allow fake ads as long as the guys placing them are willing to pay for the ads? I'm not suggesting some onerous level of verification. It takes just a few minutes to do a Google image search of a few photos to see if they exist elsewhere online, and at the slightest hint that something isn't right they could simply, as I suggested earlier, put the burden on the prospective advertiser to prove that the photos are his. How difficult is that?

 

 

I think you've confused me with another poster. I'm not the one who said RB et al. should do the checking. I'm simply saying that your Jake Lyons case study isn't that relevant to the issue of FAKE pictures. In that case, the escort was actually using pictures of himself. The issue raised here was about escorts using pictures that are NOT them.

Jake's pictures weren't fake - he just didn't have the right to use them.

 

I don't expect RB to check - their primary concern is getting paid, as far as I know. But is there anything that makes their ads more reliable than backpage.com or craigslist?

 

But I'm curious about this required ID that RB keeps a copy of - if it's a picture id or driver's license with stats, they should easily catch SOME of the fakes we see.

[marylander1940]

I think you've confused me with another poster. I'm not the one who said RB et al. should do the checking. I'm simply saying that your Jake Lyons case study isn't that relevant to the issue of FAKE pictures. In that case, the escort was actually using pictures of himself. The issue raised here was about escorts using pictures that are NOT them.

Jake's pictures weren't fake - he just didn't have the right to use them.

 

I don't expect RB to check - their primary concern is getting paid, as far as I know. But is there anything that makes their ads more reliable than backpage.com or craigslist?

 

But I'm curious about this required ID that RB keeps a copy of - if it's a picture id or driver's license with stats, they should easily catch SOME of the fakes we see.

 

you said: "The suggestion was that RB and other escort listing sites should take some steps to ensure that the pictures submitted actually portray the person advertising, as a means of addressing the issue of those who post someone ELSE's pictures. The Jake Lyons/Corbin Fisher case was about someone using pictures of themselves which they had no rights too."

 

I think Rentboy shouldn't do that, they are busy enough keeping up with escorts using stolen CC or paying through Money Orders.

 

I think we disagree, we both think something should be done about stolen/fake pictures but you think RB should match ID (you didn't know RB had them) with stats and I think the sites who care about someone using their pictures should do it themselves.

[marylander1940]

I disagree with you. What if the person whose pictures were stolen has no idea someone stole his pictures to use for an escort website? It isn't even like all of the photos that are stolen are of other escorts. If that were the case, I guess you could argue that an escort should monitor the various escort websites to see if someone had stolen his images. But as I recently mentioned in another thread, one escort recently stole a couple of photos from some teenager's old Myspace page. How is that teenager supposed to know his photos have been taken and used by some stranger on an escort website unless he himself does a Google image search on all of the photos he's ever posted online for the rest of his life? That seems like a ridiculous burden to place on an individual that might not even conceive of the idea that some guy might have stolen his images for the purposes of taking people's money for sex under false pretenses. The solution, which would require ONE check of the photos, is for the site operators to investigate the photos prior to allowing them to be posted.

 

Do you want to call the FBI?

Is up to you to protect your own interest.

Bad things happen in life anyways...

Rb doesn't have time for that, do you want to force it by law to do it? Escorting itself is an illegal activity, it's prostitution in 99% of the cases.

I politely disagree with you, at the end the client says yes or no to the escort.

[seeker630]

you said: "The suggestion was that RB and other escort listing sites should take some steps to ensure that the pictures submitted actually portray the person advertising, as a means of addressing the issue of those who post someone ELSE's pictures. The Jake Lyons/Corbin Fisher case was about someone using pictures of themselves which they had no rights too."

 

I think Rentboy shouldn't do that, they are busy enough keeping up with escorts using stolen CC or paying through Money Orders.

 

I think we disagree, we both think something should be done about stolen/fake pictures but you think RB should match ID (you didn't know RB had them) with stats and I think the sites who care about someone using their pictures should do it themselves.

 

You seem very informed about the inner workings of Rentboy. Are you affiliated with them?

[Glenn1441]

I agree with you that Rentboy is primarily concerned with getting paid. My 'customer service' interactions with RB (primarily concerning technical or navigational issues) have been very poor. Rentmen, as far as layout, navigation and potential client interaction, is a much better site, and I've been in contact with the proprietors on many occasions. In fact, when re-launching the site with new features, about two or so yrs ago -- they solicited me for feedback. Whenever I find an ad with questionable photos that indeed turn out to be stolen, I inform Rentmen, and they always take action, whether contacting the advertiser to request he provide authentication of the photos, or removing the photos that are clearly of another individual, etc. The advertiser 'TattedBikerNYC' is a great example. The man behind the ad and photos was using photos of a famous Italian soap opera star. Mike of Rentmen pulled the ad immediately once he saw the evidence. No questions asked. And in any case, many escorts, actors, models, what-have-you, are more often than not unaware that their photos are being used fraudulently. FernandoNYC, a long-time advertiser on Rentboy and an escort I've hired, was completely unaware that another advertiser was using one of his photos (and a cock-shot at that)... I informed Fernando, and he took action. Fernando enjoys great reviews here on Daddy's and he is totally reputable. And in any case, I know his cock well, lol... So, the thief had no choice but to remove the photo as Fernando, who knows the owners of RB well, would have pursued the matter. Currently, 'Straightdreams,' an advertiser on Rentmen, is under 'investigation' regarding his photos. Rentmen immediately deleted a photo that I traced to a genuine, aspiring male model (fashion) in L.A. Rentmen is giving Straightdreams 24-hours to provide authentication of his identity or else the ad will be taken down. Rentmen takes this matter seriously. In my opinion, RM is the most client-friendly escort site on the Web. And still, I take it upon myself that it is my responsibility to flesh out the frauds, for my own sake, when considering hiring a 'new' escort in NYC. Doing so is painless, rather quick, and I save myself a lot of grief, and money, in the end. Should Rentboy and Rentmen pursue swiped/stolen photos aggressively in the future -- great. But in the meantime, we can each protect ourselves (and one another, here in the Forum) to a great degree by using the Image Search feature, as suggested by my original post. Another thread, concerning 'red flags' that may come up when hiring escorts, is also a good reminder of 'caveat emptor.'

 

I think you've confused me with another poster. I'm not the one who said RB et al. should do the checking. I'm simply saying that your Jake Lyons case study isn't that relevant to the issue of FAKE pictures. In that case, the escort was actually using pictures of himself. The issue raised here was about escorts using pictures that are NOT them.

Jake's pictures weren't fake - he just didn't have the right to use them.

 

I don't expect RB to check - their primary concern is getting paid, as far as I know. But is there anything that makes their ads more reliable than backpage.com or craigslist?

 

But I'm curious about this required ID that RB keeps a copy of - if it's a picture id or driver's license with stats, they should easily catch SOME of the fakes we see.

[seeker630]

I'd like to point out that it was maninsoma, not me, who stated that RB should check photos.

 

But I agree that it would be good customer service if they did make SOME effort to vet advertisers - especially if they have access to a photo ID from the advertiser.

 

I agree whole-heartedly that we, as consumers, have a responsibility to do our due diligence as well.

[marylander1940]

I'd like to point out that it was maninsoma, not me, who stated that RB should check photos.

 

But I agree that it would be good customer service if they did make SOME effort to vet advertisers - especially if they have access to a photo ID from the advertiser.

 

I agree whole-heartedly that we, as consumers, have a responsibility to do our due diligence as well.

 

You are right Maninsoma started asking for RB to check pictures (you only said it was suggested) and now you are joining him asking for SOME effort from RB.

You should write RB about it, I'm sure they are already overwhelmed with Credit Card fraud from some escorts.

I wonder how they could measure a picture with a hard on? Besides pictures could be photoshopped, anybody could do it, specially if he's in the business of fooling clients.

 

Also some escorts like discretion for their future lives, I wonder how many of them will just leave RB. I'm sure RB wouldn't like to lose customers (advertisers) and possibly will start charging would-be-clients $5 per month to see the escorts' pictures. Here in DC Top Referrals used to do that.

[BallerBoy]

I use Google's Image search in addition to other methods to determine the "model's" authenticity. With image search, I often find that the FAKE/STOLEN photos were taken from some Gay Tumblr picture blog. Some are cropped as to not show the head, and others the exact same photos. There is not real way to trace where a photo originated, but you can atleast see if it's a "internet photo" taken from another source.

[gallahadesquire]

I use Google's Image search in addition to other methods to determine the "model's" authenticity. With image search, I often find that the FAKE/STOLEN photos were taken from some Gay Tumblr picture blog. Some are cropped as to not show the head, and others the exact same photos. There is not real way to trace where a photo originated, but you can atleast see if it's a "internet photo" taken from another source.

 

Such as?