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Influencers lay bare the horrors of Dubai where women are lured by promises of free holidays and fame before being subjected to the most degrading sex acts imaginable

BBG News

Beyond the captivating allure of its glitz, high-end retail, and awe-inspiring skyline, Dubai hides a much darker reality.

Women in their youth are being enticed to travel to the United Arab Emirates under false pretenses such as complimentary journeys, high-end handbags, opulent gatherings, and significant sums of money. However, upon arrival, they discover themselves trapped abroad in potentially hazardous predicaments.

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share a chilling revelation: Wealthy individuals often create false identities posing as online recruiters for sham social media firms, modeling agencies, or influencer platforms. They then reach out to captivating young women globally, promising lavish trips under the guise of professional opportunities.

For some, it’s an offer too tempting to refuse. 

For quite some time, there have been secretive activities involving deception of women in the UAE, taking place primarily aboard luxury yachts, exclusive private villas, and remote locations off the beaten tourist path.

This year, Maria Kovalchuk, a 20-year-old woman from Ukraine, was discovered along the side of a road in Dubai. She had a fractured spine and limbs, which appeared to be the result of her falling from a significant height.

The well-known figure on OnlyFans was expected at a gathering, but suddenly disappeared without a trace, leaving no information about whether or not she recalls anything from that time.

People close to her voiced concerns that she might have been forced into a situation similar to ‘sex trafficking’, only to be abandoned, bruised, and covered in blood, by her assailants.

For eight days, she couldn’t be found following her statement that she received an invitation to a hotel party on March 9, as detailed by the Daily Mail back then.

According to Ukrainian media reports, she was expected to go to the event accompanied by two individuals claiming to be representatives from the modeling industry.

Multiple women residing in Dubai chose not to discuss the topic openly due to their concern about potential legal repercussions, such as arrest. (Daily Mail Australia contacted these individuals.)

As a lifestyle expert, I myself have come to understand the risks, having witnessed them firsthand through my interactions with individuals like Lucy Banks – a successful entrepreneur previously associated with OnlyFans, hailing from Perth and now running Million Billion Media agency. These potential pitfalls are not lost on me.

She warns girls that if the message in your DMs seems ‘too good to be true’, it probably is. 

‘Nine times out of ten these messages are dodgy,’ she says. 

The recruiters are shrewd individuals who possess a keen understanding of their craft and the boundaries they can push. They don’t limit their focus to influencers alone; instead, they aim for anyone who appears appealing on social media platforms.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but feel betrayed when I discover that the tantalizing offers of ‘complimentary vacations’ and chances to ‘advance my professional journey’ are nothing more than deceptive promises. The reality is far from what was promised, leaving me disillusioned and questioning the authenticity of such opportunities in the future.

Occasionally, men purchase Instagram accounts that portray them as young females residing in Dubai, a deception that increases the likelihood of luring their targets.

In a common rephrasing, here’s how you could put it: These bogus profiles frequently send messages like, “I have a contact who can arrange a trip to Dubai for us,” followed by referring the woman to the recruiter.

Lucy states, “It’s akin to a false sense of solidarity or a vow that never materializes. You’re led to believe you’ll receive everything, even vast sums of money, only to find yourself in the situation and discovering no one is there to rescue you.

Women chosen for their Dubai operations are often young, inexperienced females aged between 18 and 25.

Lucy mentions that creators on OnlyFans frequently receive such messages, leading them to prefer handling requests exclusively via the site’s platform, she explains.

‘But an everyday young woman might fall for the trap. It’s a recipe for disaster.’ 

The advice she gives to women is straightforward – it’s likely something your guardians imparted to you as well. Essentially, trust your intuition. If warning signals begin sounding off within you, don’t disregard them.

Previously, Kayla Jade, an Australian model on OnlyFans and a sex worker, has openly discussed the private gatherings often referred to as ‘influencer events’ that take place in secluded settings.

Women have pointed out that some men in Dubai, having ample resources and easy access to material possessions, often seek excitement and a sense of power through engaging in rough and degrading sexual activities, due to their boredom with conventional pleasures.

In the video, she expressed that once you’ve experienced everything and possess an abundance of wealth, it can lead to feelings of boredom.

They will locate an influencer with approximately five million followers on Instagram, offer her a large sum of money, likely in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, to visit Dubai and participate in an event that may cause public embarrassment for her.

Human rights advocate Radha Stirling also shed light on the underbelly of Dubai.

Ms. Stirling serves as both the founder and leader of a London-headquartered organization named Detained in Dubai. This entity offers assistance to foreign individuals who have unfortunately found themselves wrongfully detained or charged within the United Arab Emirates and neighboring Gulf states.

The company has assisted more than 20,000 victims of injustice over the past two decades. 

I’d like to know what sorts of issues or negativities have been reported at parties in Dubai that feature the presence of influencers.

According to Ms. Stirling, women attending the frequent wild parties (often taking place on yachts or private villas) are frequently subjected to unwanted sexual advances, secretly recorded without their permission, given drugs or threatened with blackmail.

As a die-hard fan, I’ve heard countless tales – all too similar – shared by women who were lured to the glamorous world of Dubai under the false pretense of modeling opportunities, social media promotions, or networking events.

These women frequently ended up in compulsory and hazardous situations. On multiple occasions, their passports were taken away from them, and they faced threats when they attempted to depart.

Since these gatherings take place in secluded locations, it becomes challenging for the women to escape, seek assistance, or disclose the mistreatment due to their isolation.

Who organises these parties and for what purpose? What recruitment tactics are used?

Ms. Stirling often notes that such events are usually organized by influential people who have strong networks within the business, hospitality, or entertainment industries.

She points out that the true intention behind many events is often abusive, serving primarily to objectify women for amusement or easy access, sometimes under duress. Those in charge of organizing these events are often influential figures who rarely face consequences for their actions.

The recruitment strategy mirrors worldwide trends by focusing on women via Instagram, influencer partnerships, and modeling firms.

Ms. Stirling points out that the victims hail from diverse nations and circumstances, often unfamiliar with the UAE’s legal system and its associated perils.

A variety of individuals, such as models, vocalists, instrumentalists, performers, attorneys, and many others, have unfortunately encountered exploitative circumstances in their professions.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase that statement like this: “In places where there’s little to no responsibility taken and women are often penalized for speaking up, these locations unfortunately continue to be risky destinations for women traveling to the UAE.

When did you first hear about the so-called ‘porta potty parties’?

Over the past year, there has been an increase in accounts about shocking allegations of parties in Dubai involving portable toilets, where women are said to be compensated for performing abhorrent sexual acts.

But Ms Stirling says they are nothing new.

She mentions that allegations of women being mistreated within high-profile social circles in Dubai have been circulating since approximately the year 2000, well before the widespread use of the term “porta potty” became viral.

Initially, it was reported that there were instances of human trafficking and exploitation involving individuals linked to high-ranking figures. This issue started gaining widespread attention around 2018-2019 following its exposure on social media platforms. However, the acts themselves have been taking place for several decades prior.

A larger number of Western victims are now coming forward to share their experiences, contributing to an enhanced public awareness about the potential dangers.

An Australian who has visited 76 different countries swore off future visits to Dubai, following a lengthy layover that left him feeling uncomfortable due to unwelcome advances from strange men at popular tourist destinations.

Emma Lovell, hailing from the Gold Coast, stayed for two nights but consistently felt an undercurrent of unease during her stay.

She was headed towards Barang, India, but decided to lengthen her stopover in Dubai to hang out with some old friends. If only she hadn’t, she regrets now.

It seems quite puzzling to me why someone might choose to spend over five days in Dubai, as the city appears to lack depth and authentic cultural experiences. To me, it feels like much of what’s there is artificial or man-made.

Indeed, it’s quite remarkable, yet there’s an overwhelming sense that it’s artificially constructed. For instance, the marketplace, known as a souk, appears aged but lacks any genuine historical value.

‘I didn’t feel the culture, it’s not somewhere I feel I ever need to see again.’

Ms. Stirling aims for a straightforward objective: delivering justice and striving to preserve the lives of individuals held in detention within the UAE.

‘She cautions that while Dubai might promote its safety, it’s crucial not to take this at face value. The glamorous facade masks a justice system that frequently falls short in safeguarding women and may even penalize them for speaking out about mistreatment.’

Visitors are advised to get acquainted with the local laws of the United Arab Emirates, particularly focusing on their dress code regulations, appropriate conduct in public areas, and rules regarding alcohol consumption.

It’s advisable to get the Detained in Dubai emergency app and reach out to the company promptly should you find yourself in a situation where you are detained.

In case of arrest, remember you’re entitled to stay quiet, ask for a lawyer, and reach out to your country’s embassy or consulate.

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2025-06-20 19:20

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