RO Studios, taxes and the bullshit meter

[DazzlingErika]

It's not uncommon that people have trouble,so it might be true... I started camming because of these kind of debts, and I can believe it s true..However, I never expected members help, and I only mentioned it to a few who I was talking more to ( not necessarily paying members ( just people that liked to talk...and boy did I love them on my slow days..i have a grey from Cb on my KIK and one of my regulars on SM started out just by staying in free chat...so i always know friendliness helps)...But what seems fishy here is that she can't see you because of that, since it s not like her not working for a few days is gonna stop her from making soooo much money, so I m guessing that if she were honest about her feelings, she would just take off a few days and meet you, after all you already helped her in the past so she can tell you re being true about things...Where do they find you guys? I've not ever had members to offer ( I would've maybe appreciated the help but would've not taken anything outside the site and of course without giving them something in exchange).

I believe there are scammers all over and in all industries not just here, the problem is that sometimes the members make scamming so easy that some girls just can t resist..I can t forget this Russian model on CB that was faking ohmibod every single day, every single shift, wasn't talking anything else than oh my god guys, thank you and stuff like that, wasn't showing anything without a 500 token tip and she faked so bad that you'd say she wasn't getting turned on, but more like she was being exorcised...and still her room was full, her wall was yellow...and when i talked a bit in the room ( wasn't rude or something) just to see if guys even suspect that it was fake ( i know that for a fact because i tried ohmibod and does nothing...then i quit because I won't fake anything) this guy tells me that she may be jumping like a rabbit all over when using ohmibod but she is even more enticing when she talks _ which, I may add, she never does , but guys there are too blind, they just wanna believe stuff and they don.t think it through...I deviated a bit, but the idea of this is that members should also be careful, because there are scammers all over.NOTE: I was going in other models rooms just to try to understand the members, cause I hadl the equipment, am looking good, am super friendly, and still..on CB and MFC i had nobody in the room...so the only conclusion I drew was that not all, but many members just like to be treated bad and lied too..I am not saying this is your case..just that, outside the site you shouldn't help unless it becomes something serious first and you've gotten to know the lady.

I hope I haven't gotten too far away from the subject, I was trying to make an analogy

 

[Serenity_Tam]

My heart is just so sad for you right now. You've seemed so invested and smitten with this gal and these messages feel so concerning to you. I almost feel like you are a genuinely good hearted man about to be taken advantage of.

I have visited friends on working vacations and I have found time for them. So I feel like her saying she would only work while your there is over dramatic. And it all seems very manipulative. But of course don't know her sooo?

If it turns out to be the case you are being manipulated i just want to say it's not your fault. Gals who do that are really good at getting what they want, whether it's a romantic partner, money or both.

Let us know how things turn out, you've always seemed like such a lovely person and this is just so :/

 

[Phoenix4987]

I just wanted to say that I really appreciate you all for taking the time and trying to help me sort this out. There's a very strong community here and I'm glad to have stumbled upon the forum.

In reality, I never looked at MFC as a place to find a girlfriend. I'm not one of those members that goes to every room and asks the model if she wants to meet. My friends list has always been small and it's been reduced to 1 since me and this person started to get (real/fake) close with each other..

I mentioned before that I was in the military, the US Marines to be specific. We're taught to always look after those to the left and right of us. While...some experiences will definitely be with me for the rest of my life...I carried this strong sentiment as I transitioned into civilian life. So often, I cared more about others than myself. I've seen firsthand how short life can be and this I think propelled me further to go after this dream. To add to that, I know that I'm not the hottest guy to ever visit a model, but I do know that I'm an attractive young man that has a lot going for him. So perhaps I fed my own fantasy of I'm not just another 40 year old guy, perhaps this girl could really like me.

Last night I pushed really hard to see this paper that showed her debts. Told me I didn't ask you for money, so why am I interested, oh but I will prove to you I'm an honest model and will show you, but it's over, etc etc. (She never did btw) We went back and forth for awhile and talked about taking a break while she fixes her situation.

I can't help her directly anymore because obviously that's what is making me uncomfortable. She needs to do this on her own like MissLollipop said. If whatever we have survives, then I can feel a lot better about everything.

But I'm not really holding my breath because the signs are all there...I can be naive for just a little while longer...but at least it won't cost me anymore $...

 

[justjoinedtopost]

I can't help her directly anymore because obviously that's what is making me uncomfortable. She needs to do this on her own like MissLollipop said. If whatever we have survives, then I can feel a lot better about everything.

But I'm not really holding my breath because the signs are all there...I can be naive for just a little while longer...but at least it won't cost me anymore $...

Maybe I'm just in a peculiar mood today, but if you can afford to send double whatever she says she needs, I think it would be terribly romantic.

 

[CuteViky]

Maybe I'm just in a peculiar mood today, but if you can afford to send double whatever she says she needs, I think it would be terribly romantic.

And you will become a legend between girls of her studio!

 

[papichulo80]

So this sounds like a veeeery common story, I'm more familiar with cam boys that do this and yes it does seem to be disproportionately Romanian Cammers.
I have a question for the group though. The whole studio but working from home thing confuses me. I knew a model who said he had some problem and basically his studio was raided. At that time he all of a sudden worked exclusively from home and made all new accounts. he said he was still working for the studio though and as a result they were still taking half.
I asked some other models and was told universally that it was a scam and he was lying. That no one would work from home through a studio and there was no reason to do so. So basically I now assume he's dishonest and is making double what he says.
What says the collective wisdom? Do models work from home but through studios? would you make all new accounts and continue to do so. The only thing that I though was a complicating factor was he said he had no bank account and all the money went on to a card provided by the studio. But how does a person not have a bank account?
Thanks,
Also sorry man, It's a sad thing. I've seen it a few times and learned the hard way once altho it could have been much worse had I not posted something here. Very supportive and moral community.
P

 

[CuteViky]

So this sounds like a veeeery common story, I'm more familiar with cam boys that do this and yes it does seem to be disproportionately Romanian Cammers.
I have a question for the group though. The whole studio but working from home thing confuses me. I knew a model who said he had some problem and basically his studio was raided. At that time he all of a sudden worked exclusively from home and made all new accounts. he said he was still working for the studio though and as a result they were still taking half.
I asked some other models and was told universally that it was a scam and he was lying. That no one would work from home through a studio and there was no reason to do so. So basically I now assume he's dishonest and is making double what he says.
What says the collective wisdom? Do models work from home but through studios? would you make all new accounts and continue to do so. The only thing that I though was a complicating factor was he said he had no bank account and all the money went on to a card provided by the studio. But how does a person not have a bank account?
Thanks,
Also sorry man, It's a sad thing. I've seen it a few times and learned the hard way once altho it could have been much worse had I not posted something here. Very supportive and moral community.
P

Yes, models can work at home and still though studio. In Russia and Ukraine it's illegal. So studio's bosses have a deal with police, they bribing them. When girl work for studio everyone remember your face, and if u even try go work alone, they treat her with police. So it this countries its 2 crimes: 1 bcs of porn illegal and another is about economy like hidden income, taxes and etc. So studio provide "roof" and also they knows way to take money from sites and don't get in trouble (girls get a cash to their hands).
Models have bank accounts, but if there will come transfer from porn site she will get in jail!

 

[CuteViky]

I do not support studios, But come on guy, you really think grils so dumb for give someone halfs? It's just reality of some countries.

 

[SaffronBurke]

Do models work from home but through studios?

In the US, at least, most studios are online. They claim to give you better placement or traffic in exchange for a chunk of your income. The only one that anyone ever recommends is Boleyn Models, as they take a small percentage (only 5% instead of the usual 15%+), are daily pay, and offer employment verification.

In Eastern Europe, most studios are physical locations, providing a room and equipment. Someone could theoretically still cam through the studio while at home - the studio would have to have signed up for a studio account on the camsite, and have that model under them, which is all it really takes to be a studio.

As long as the model is camming from an account that's under a studio, they're working for a studio, regardless of where they are.

But how does a person not have a bank account?

It's actually really common in the US for people to not have bank accounts and just get paid on payroll cards their company issues, or pre-paid cards they've signed up for on their own. For some, it's because they can't get a bank account due to poor history with banks, for others, they just don't WANT a bank account, even though the cards charge more fees and it would be easier just to open an account at a credit union.

 

[justjoinedtopost]

What says the collective wisdom? Do models work from home but through studios?

I do know of one model that did this, Eastern European but not Romanian. Non English speaker, they had a translator helping them online, but not sure if there were other reasons for it or not.

 

[DazzlingErika]

So this sounds like a veeeery common story, I'm more familiar with cam boys that do this and yes it does seem to be disproportionately Romanian Cammers.
I have a question for the group though. The whole studio but working from home thing confuses me. I knew a model who said he had some problem and basically his studio was raided. At that time he all of a sudden worked exclusively from home and made all new accounts. he said he was still working for the studio though and as a result they were still taking half.
I asked some other models and was told universally that it was a scam and he was lying. That no one would work from home through a studio and there was no reason to do so. So basically I now assume he's dishonest and is making double what he says.
What says the collective wisdom? Do models work from home but through studios? would you make all new accounts and continue to do so. The only thing that I though was a complicating factor was he said he had no bank account and all the money went on to a card provided by the studio. But how does a person not have a bank account?
Thanks,
Also sorry man, It's a sad thing. I've seen it a few times and learned the hard way once altho it could have been much worse had I not posted something here. Very supportive and moral community.
P

There are studios that let you work from home..

 

[pocket sand]

See, the thing with these stories is that the member decides to give the money. I've known models who have been through hard times and tell me about them, but that doesn't make me say to myself "She is in a bad situation. I have some money. I have to save her! She will love me!"

Some people are just aching to be taken advantage of.

Yeah, one of a few different reasons I find it hard to have much sympathy for some of the guys these stories come from. Preying on the gullible and lonely is always shitty but I stop feeling that bad for them when it's so obvious what is happening and these dudes just won't accept it. At some point accountability and common sense have to be brought up. What they are paying for essentially is the illusion, which in most cases they themselves create and will turn every blind eye needed and do wild mental gymnastics to maintain, that a gorgeous young Romanian woman is interested in meeting them and growing old and dusty together. For all we know the girl or studio janitor could just be playing out the fantasy that she was instructed to/thinks the dude wants not even realizing he thinks it's serious.

 

[justjoinedtopost]

Yeah, one of a few different reasons I find it hard to have much sympathy for some of the guys these stories come from. Preying on the gullible and lonely is always shitty but I stop feeling that bad for them when it's so obvious what is happening and these dudes just won't accept it.

It's kind of like when you are dealing with somebody that is drunk; gotta wait for the alcohol to clear their system before they can think rationally again.

Once the activity level in the dopamine pathways crosses a certain threshold, there is no reasoning with the lovestruck. Things like "accountability" and "common sense" no longer have any meaning for them whatsoever. Now common sense dictates that you don't Western Union your house payment to another continent to somebody you've never even met; but if you point this out to them, they will only stare off into space as they dreamily announce that they are planning on naming their firstborn Charles, Charlotte if it's a girl...

I believe most of these people go looking for this. I don't believe for a minute they are hapless victims. They wander onto the internet, and oftentimes present themselves as presentable when they know good and damn well they are not; love is their drug of choice, and they will not stop looking until they have found someone who will sell them their fix. It is only when they go into withdrawal that we hear their cries.

Who, then, is to blame? Shall we point the finger at the junkie? Or is it the dealer who is at fault?

Neither. Methinks both are only trying to muddle their way through life as best they can, trying to meet their needs with what they have available. At the end of the day, we can only watch from afar, shaking our heads as we watch the whole spectacle unfold...

Member and model met. He was spending pretty decent money. I got to hear about wedding plans and other such love nonsense for a while. I tried to gently point out that there was a chance this was bullshit, but this person was gullible and lonely, and at that point completely unable to consider the possibility. So I hushed. When they were ready to accept it, I got to hear all about it

This has nothing to do with OP btw, just ruminating out loud.

 

[MadJohnson]

It's kind of like when you are dealing with somebody that is drunk; gotta wait for the alcohol to clear their system before they can think rationally again.

Once the activity level in the dopamine pathways crosses a certain threshold, there is no reasoning with the lovestruck. Things like "accountability" and "common sense" no longer have any meaning for them whatsoever. Now common sense dictates that you don't Western Union your house payment to another continent to somebody you've never even met; but if you point this out to them, they will only stare off into space as they dreamily announce that they are planning on naming their firstborn Charles, Charlotte if it's a girl...

I believe most of these people go looking for this. I don't believe for a minute they are hapless victims. They wander onto the internet, and oftentimes present themselves as presentable when they know good and damn well they are not; love is their drug of choice, and they will not stop looking until they have found someone who will sell them their fix. It is only when they go into withdrawal that we hear their cries.

Who, then, is to blame? Shall we point the finger at the junkie? Or is it the dealer who is at fault?

Neither. Methinks both are only trying to muddle their way through life as best they can, trying to meet their needs with what they have available. At the end of the day, we can only watch from afar, shaking our heads as we watch the whole spectacle unfold...

Member and model met. He was spending pretty decent money. I got to hear about wedding plans and other such love nonsense for a while. I tried to gently point out that there was a chance this was bullshit, but this person was gullible and lonely, and at that point completely unable to consider the possibility. So I hushed. When they were ready to accept it, I got to hear all about it

This has nothing to do with OP btw, just ruminating out loud.

While you might be right in some situations, I also think it's somewhat unfair to paint the OP with such a broad brush.

As much as most models (and members) try to compartmentalize their personas when camming, we need to remember that there are actual human beings on each end. And there are plenty of times when friendships (actual ones, such as those which transcend the cam site) are formed. We even have a few prominent posters to ACF who met their SO's on cam sites. Of course no one should hop onto MFC looking for a date/spouse, but connections do form and following those connections is natural.

Did the OP get suckered in? Perhaps he did. Perhaps he should have exercised more caution when dealing with someone in such a dramatically different circumstance to his own, especially when the stakes were high. But it's also conceivable that he tried to be as guarded, as level-headed, as possible and still ended up where he is now.

Sometimes getting taken for a fool just happens. But as people, we are driven to try anyway; that's part of the human experience.

 

[n_i_c_u]

Methinks both are only trying to muddle their way through life as best they can, trying to meet their needs with what they have available.

You are a wise man (I should 'turd' you out of Respect). That quote kind of all puts my actions this past year and a half in perspective. Thank you. Not really a gf/bf relationship here, but, just the concept of "friends." It just seems like not real friends (from how I remember being friends), but yes, your quote hits me as "this is me"! I did get something out of it and it was goodness.

Sometimes getting taken for a fool just happens. But as people, we are driven to try anyway; that's part of the human experience.

Awesome!!!!!!!! You are good (love the words).

 

[justjoinedtopost]

While you might be right in some situations, I also think it's somewhat unfair to paint the OP with such a broad brush.

Very true. And just in case OP reads my post and takes offense, I shall repeat my final sentence.

This has nothing to do with OP btw, just ruminating out loud.

 

[Phoenix4987]

Just wanted to say that no I'm not offended JJTP.

Update:

The short story is that I got in touch with an old MFC friend who helped me debunk her bullshit without a shadow of a doubt. There's a website which list all in RO who owe taxes over a few hundred dollars. When confronted with this, she was in denial still and swore up and down about her story. So, I pushed her buttons. Said I'd go to the bank and look for a loan if she could show me this paper, but it better be legitimate because my friend's mom works in the state dept and can tell me if its fake or not. (Oh I have nothing to hide, blah blah, you will see I've been honest but you have trust issues) No shit . Next day came and she told me some bullshit about keeping this big secret. She's building a house and needed help with that and when it was all done she was going to finally have free time for me to go see her. But now she can see I'm a rat (because I let a website other than MFC know she's been accepting payments outside their site and they ain't too happy about it) and that if I knew about this house of hers I'd fall for her because of that................ok......

As if that wasn't enough of a laugh. I talked to some other members and.... the help I sent her previously didn't go to any of the things she mentioned. Shocker. She went to London with her sisters. She of course denied this as well. (I don't know what you're talking about)

Even at the very end, she couldn't be straight up with me even though she knew I knew she was full of shit. I was like, just be honest with me is it that hard?

Yes. It sucks to admit, but I'm fucking hurt. I'm the one who was gullible and trusting. But I really did believe she was different. The $ isn't what I'm even upset about. It's about being lied to when I gave the person PLENTY of opportunities to set shit straight. (Are you sure you really want to meet me? I'm perfectly ok with just keeping things on mfc if that's the case let me know and I'll give up this whole meeting you thing.) Many times had talks about that. Many times fed bullshit.

So what would you do in this situation besides avoid her like the plague? Tell the other members about her bullshit and try to hit it where it hurts, her income? I had warned her if she kept lying there'd be repercussions, to which she threatened me that she'd tell (random person on my facebook) about some private shit. I told her I didn't care who/what she did, I'd still be getting paid.

 

[CrazyCatLady]

Just wanted to say that no I'm not offended JJTP.

Update:

The short story is that I got in touch with an old MFC friend who helped me debunk her bullshit without a shadow of a doubt. There's a website which list all in RO who owe taxes over a few hundred dollars. When confronted with this, she was in denial still and swore up and down about her story. So, I pushed her buttons. Said I'd go to the bank and look for a loan if she could show me this paper, but it better be legitimate because my friend's mom works in the state dept and can tell me if its fake or not. (Oh I have nothing to hide, blah blah, you will see I've been honest but you have trust issues) No shit . Next day came and she told me some bullshit about keeping this big secret. She's building a house and needed help with that and when it was all done she was going to finally have free time for me to go see her. But now she can see I'm a rat (because I let a website other than MFC know she's been accepting payments outside their site and they ain't too happy about it) and that if I knew about this house of hers I'd fall for her because of that................ok......

As if that wasn't enough of a laugh. I talked to some other members and.... the help I sent her previously didn't go to any of the things she mentioned. Shocker. She went to London with her sisters. She of course denied this as well. (I don't know what you're talking about)

Even at the very end, she couldn't be straight up with me even though she knew I knew she was full of shit. I was like, just be honest with me is it that hard?

Yes. It sucks to admit, but I'm fucking hurt. I'm the one who was gullible and trusting. But I really did believe she was different. The $ isn't what I'm even upset about. It's about being lied to when I gave the person PLENTY of opportunities to set shit straight. (Are you sure you really want to meet me? I'm perfectly ok with just keeping things on mfc if that's the case let me know and I'll give up this whole meeting you thing.) Many times had talks about that. Many times fed bullshit.

So what would you do in this situation besides avoid her like the plague? Tell the other members about her bullshit and try to hit it where it hurts, her income? I had warned her if she kept lying there'd be repercussions, to which she threatened me that she'd tell (random person on my facebook) about some private shit. I told her I didn't care who/what she did, I'd still be getting paid.

Omg this is so horrible. I am now wondering if it is the same person that one of my friends dealt with. I have no advice on how to proceed but I just want to say I'm so sorry this happened.

I have been taken advantage of many times and I know how bad it hurts. I guess take comfort in knowing that when you lay your head down at night your conscience is clear. I know I do.

 

[justjoinedtopost]

So what would you do in this situation besides avoid her like the plague? Tell the other members about her bullshit and try to hit it where it hurts, her income? I had warned her if she kept lying there'd be repercussions, to which she threatened me that she'd tell (random person on my facebook) about some private shit. I told her I didn't care who/what she did, I'd still be getting paid...

Disengage.

This "outing" each other business, this warning/threatening each other...this is a toxic road to wander. Been down it quite a few times, IRL and on the internet. I've acted upon these retaliatory urges. It has NEVER brought me anything worth the additional mental pain it caused. Never. Not even when I managed to actualize my desires for revenge beyond my wildest dreams.

You wanted her to be honest.
You wanted to meet her.
You wanted her to be different.
Sounds like you are not going to get these things you want from her. I understand why this would cause you pain.

What would I do?

I would struggle to balance out the pain I felt with acceptance of this person's flaws. I would drag my brain, kicking and screaming, to a place where it could understand that this woman may behave this way simply because it is all she knows. I would seek to finish every negative thought about her that popped in my head with a "BUT...", followed by something positive I noticed about her.

That, or I would have a nervous breakdown.

 

[Serenity_Tam]

I am just so very sorry this happened to you. You have been such a voice of sanity when it comes to people talking about dating cam girls and I am bummed this gal turned out to be someone who was lying.


I have to agree with just and say disengage. Don't start a flame war between each other, just remover her from your life. Think of the repercussions she will see is not having you as a part of her life and her heavy conscience. Do something good for yourself, drop all contact and live life positively

 

[papichulo80]

So I was in a similar situation to the op a while ago and everyone especially Jicky was so helpful and awesome. It went the predictable route and ended badly. I think the biggest problem in just moving on, which I know is the right thing to do, is that there are so many questions that will never be answered.
I understand more now than I did, and I get to what extent I was deluding myself. I'm only the regular amount of foolish.
I know that he comes from a country where making any money is uncertain and the economy is bad enough that anyone young and attractive has a go at it just about because it is by far the best income potential. Even more so in his case because he doesn't have a lot of education or opportunity beyond this or construction. I also know there is a lot of pressure to earn as much as you can on the male side because longevity is nil and at two years he's already one of the more "long in the tooth" models. It's very fresh meat oriented on the gay side.
So I'm aware of all those things. I also know that a lot of people go to chat looking to buy love and so that's what they get sold. I wasn't and he pursued it pretty hard. Of course then it all ended up in unraveling stories and acrimony.
I guess the biggest question I have left (and I think maybe op does as well)...
Why push the love angle so far? Why pursue it? I would have been happy as he said just being a customer that was treated nicely. But was pushed for messengers and picture swaps and skype and a lot of personal info given. Enough that if I was vengeful rather than just trying to move on it could have been really bad for him. Of course when you take it to a personal place when it really isn't it's doomed to go ballistic at some point. the truth will out and all that.
So what are the opinions? Are cammers also some times "love addicts" who need the rush of someone loving them even if it's fake? Do they feel they need to cross that bridge in order to keep the customer paying and staying? Is it just amusing, even if it's doomed to end complicated and dramatic?
I understand a lot and even accept most of it considering where he comes from, what he's dealing with, and what his prospects are. but why he pushed the love thing so hard still confuses me because I know very well he wasn't in love with me.
thanks,
p

 

[DeeBella]

WOW i am surprised ( in a bad way ) I know there are a lot of RO girls that scam , lie etc . I also know a story of a RO girl ( and i feel ashamed because they are from my country ) i think this kind of models pull us romanians down , because ofc if a guy pased throught this 1,2,3 times with a ro model ofc he think that we all are the same . As i said before i know a girl that asked for over 4k euros just because she needed to build a part of her house ( guess what ? she lives in an apartment ) , that guy gave her the money and after that she stop talking with him . I am sorry that this is happening with you guys but i am sure that some romanian girls are honest and different also ( and i am not saying this because i am romanian ) . Have a nice day