Crypto Extortionists Target Gay Adult Stars On X

Crypto Scammers Hijack Accounts of Gay Adult Stars

Several gay adult film performers and OnlyFans creators have recently found themselves in the crosshairs of crypto scammers. These hackers have been infiltrating X accounts, demanding hefty ransoms in exchange for returning access.

As Wired first uncovered, one significant target was Patrick Bewley, a well-known gay OnlyFans creator who goes by Daddy Patrick. Bewley, who had a substantial following of 132,000 on X, had his account hacked, leading to posts that baffled his audience. Suddenly, his account was filled with pro-Trump and pro-MAGA content, which Bewley never endorsed or created.

The Setup and The Scam

On April 9, Bewley received a seemingly innocent direct message from the account of adult film director Jasun Mark. The message asked for an award nomination, a request that seemed plausible to Bewley. However, the link in the message led to a fraudulent X login page, effectively handing Bewley’s account over to the hackers.

Despite immediate action from Bewley’s partner, Jerry Burt, who reported the hack, the account was transformed into a high-energy MAGA propaganda page, complete with imagery of Steve Bannon and links to WarRoom.org.

“If you ask me what the potential loss is, being associated with MAGA as a gay content creator is like saying you’re a Nazi. It’s a no-go territory. There’s no middle road,” Bewley stated.

Ransom Demands and Further Impact

The situation escalated on April 16 when the hacker demanded $2,000 in GAT cryptocurrency, threatening to keep the account if not paid. Bewley refused to comply, leading the attacker to threaten his employer, Ducati Studios Network, seeking $3,000 in cryptocurrency.

This ordeal not only tainted Bewley’s brand but also risked losing his hard-earned following – crucial for collaborations within the adult film industry. "It’s the one platform people look at as the measure of where your standing is, almost like a ranking," he explained to Wired.

Not an Isolated Incident

Bewley wasn't alone. Fabian Quezada, known in the industry as “Buck Bronco,” also had his account compromised. However, Quezada took a different stance, refusing to engage with the hackers and instead focusing on securing his financial details.

Others in the industry, including Liam Angell and Jasun Mark, also reported hacks but managed to recover their accounts after losing access for periods.

Starting Anew

In response to the cyberattack, Bewley launched a new X account under his former handle. Despite his efforts, he currently stands at just 9,491 followers, a far cry from the 132,000 he once boasted.

Reflecting on the rebuilding process, Bewley described the effort to Wired as "building a sandcastle against the tide." Yet, he remains determined to regain his audience and continue his career in the adult film industry.