rentboy office raided

[Kevin Slater]

The rentboy site is having some issues today, and it appears the office was raided this morning.

 

From what I know of the firm, it was run very aboveboard to avoid this sort of thing. Let's be patient as all this sorts out.

 

Kevin Slater

[bigvalboy]

Thanks for the post Keven. We'll await details.

[BaronArtz]

I looked at the RB site today (Aug 25) at noon. The profiles/descriptions were up, but all pictures were erased. Not good for business ...

[Reluctant Daddy]

I don't quite understand the money laundering charge.

[sincitymix]

The rentboy site is having some issues today, and it appears the office was raided this morning.

 

From what I know of the firm, it was run very aboveboard to avoid this sort of thing. Let's be patient as all this sorts out.

 

Kevin Slater

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Rentboy-Male-Escort-Website-Manhattan-Arrest-Takedown-Federal-Agent-Police--322826271.html?partner=nbcnews

This link has a bit more details.

[mike carey]

I just checked an ad at random and the pics took over a minute to load, but they were there. Now I'm not in the US so I may have been diverted to another server outside the country.

[sincitymix]

hmm I wonder what this means for all the registered escorts and clients on the site. would hate to have the fbi knocking on my door.

[BaronArtz]

hmm I wonder what this means for all the registered escorts and clients on the site. would hate to have the fbi knocking on my door.

 

The clients don't register. The identities of escorts, on the other hand, are known if they paid for their ads by credit card.

[BaronArtz]

I don't quite understand the money laundering charge.

 

Any business can be used to launder money. Especially when it involves thousands of small 'retail' type of transactions. The news articles refer more to 'interstate' transfer of funds (to facilitate prostitution perhaps?). That's one of the things that nailed Eliott Spitzer - he was based in NY but paid (via credit card, the fool) for 'services' in DC.

[flguy]

I just texted a retired escort who has been out of the business for over 3 years. He was surprised and also told me he got and email from Rentboy this morning and thought it odd as he hadn't heard from them in 3 years.

[+ Gar1eth]

I was wondering why I was having trouble with Rentboy today. I was thinking about posting. I'm glad I saw this thread 1st. And may I add this is horrible!!!

 

Gman

[JC954]

I'm hearing that communications via the rentboy email/message system, between escort and clients is a main focus to document the exchange of sex for money. Anyone who has agreed to pay money or perform sex for money via that system might have something to worry about.

[+ Gar1eth]

I'm hearing that communications via the rentboy email/message system, between escort and clients is a main focus to document the exchange of sex for money. Anyone who has agreed to pay money or perform sex for money via that system might have something to worry about.

 

Wouldn't they have to prove that the exchange was actually done?

 

Gman

[jawjateck]

As an NYC outsider, the loss of that site is no biggie. I have no idea how that crap pile of a website survived all these years with its functionality problems and the amount of time it is down.

[JC954]

The clients don't register.

 

That's incorrect. You register for an account so that you can utilize the tools of the site. (no pun intended)

[JC954]

Wouldn't they have to prove that the exchange was actually done?

 

Gman

 

No. The agreement alone is sufficient.

[Reluctant Daddy]

No. The agreement alone is sufficient.

 

What if there was no mention of sex in the email exchanges? Only for "time spent" instead?

[flguy]

I don't recall ever registering and I know I never log in to use Rentboys services. Now my email address I use would be in their system somewhere I am sure.

[Doe Be Doe]

But when I registered I don't recall if I had to give a real name and real info or just a random email address.

 

I don't think they'll come after the escorts or clients unless there was more than escorting. I don't know that of course.

[JC954]

What if there was no mention of sex in the email exchanges? Only for "time spent" instead?

 

Every communication will be scrutinized on their own merits. Also, I would suspect that it will also depend on what charges the Feds are really wanting to pursue. I for one picked a bad week to give up smoking based on this news.

[Reluctant Daddy]

I for one picked a bad week to give up smoking based on this news.

 

I picked one hell of a week to start

[flguy]

You really think the feds want to spend time and money going after individual escorts and or clients. I wouldnt think that was their goal. Closing down the site and prosecuting the owners makes more sense.

[Happy]

Is there a good alternative to rentboy? I enjoyed reviewing new listings with my morning coffee.

[Doe Be Doe]

Let's hope they're content with just shutting the site and taking the cash.

 

Any criminal lawyers here who might suggest steps for clients to take?

[Reluctant Daddy]

Could any of the escorts on here clarify if they needed to pay to be listed for either a standard ad, or one of the yellow highlighted ads?