Flyguy1979
New Member
- Jurisdiction
- Indiana
Back in the beginning of March, I matched with another member on a dating app who had a profile age of 19. After a brief hello and some small talk, he gave me his number and said to text him. He was from Connecticut, the number was out of Maine. His profile was listed as him being from California. We started to text small talk, and he told me he was moving to Minnesota soon due to his dad being in the military and travelling. We talked about possibly meeting for a dinner date, and he then disclosed to me that he was 17 years old, not 19. I told him that due to his age I was not interested in meeting or taking it any farther than small talk. He then sent me a nude picture of his back side, which I did not ask for. I told him again I am not interested, and to refrain from sending any pictures of that nature. He seemed to be a little irritated, and after a very short time stopped messaging me. I deleted the number and went about my business. Few days later, he texted hello. I responded, we made small talk, and he then sent another picture unsolicited, similar to that above. I once again told him to STOP sending pictures, and that I am not interested. I again deleted the number. Few weeks later, he texts hello, I respond, but nothing more is said.
Fast forward a little over a month later ( few days ago ). I receive a text from the same number, with the following : " Mr. H****** this is Anthony's father. I've been on the phone with the State Attorney General's Office after my son attempted suicide when being confronted about sending you nude photos. I need you to contact me ASAP or I'm going to have a warrant issued for your arrest".
I text him back, and he asked that I call him in 5 minutes on that number. I call him, he doesn't answer but then calls back. I listened as he talked, and he made the following points :
1. That his son is in the hospital after attempting suicide
2. I am guilty of solicitation of a minor, even though our talks were not sexual of nature
3. I am old enough to be his father, and it is not looking good for me and will not look good in a trial
4. Even though I told him to refrain from sending nude pictures, the fact that I did not block him is solicitation
5. That he has given his statement to the police, and they referred him to social services/child protective services
I let him finish, and then explained to him that again our talks were never sexual, I never asked for pictures, and I instantly told his son to refrain from sending anything of that nature. I also explained to him that if he reads the messages, he will see clearly that I told the son I was not interested due to his age, and maybe in the future after he is over 18 we could talk.
The father then stated again that this was still solicitation, and the situation is not good. We talked for a bit, and then his tone changed and he became more unsure. He told me he could not run the hospital bills through his military insurance, and he is going to have bills for counseling as well. He told him he was going to talk to his wife, and decide how to proceed. He told me he doesn't think he is going to pursue it, but he needs to talk to his wife, and she might suggest that I make a donation to a child abuse charity as opposed to pressing charges and putting the son through that process.
He closed the conversation in saying that he will talk to his wife, and I will probably hear back from him within a few days. He also said if I did not hear from him in a week or two, then to forget it and that nothing was going to happen.
So that is where I stand right now. I researched online, and found numerous examples and reports of scams very similar to this, from all different dating apps. I found many variations of the scam, some of which involve a fake police officer asking for money via western union, or the accuser asking for donations in exchange for silence. If anyone here google searches it, you will find many examples that sound very close to what happened.
I once again want to stress, I did what I thought was the right thing and expressed my dis-interest after learning he was 17. I never asked for pics, never saved any pics, and we never had anything near that of a sexual discussion.
Few questions:
What is everyone's opinion on this ? Have I committed a crime based on what you've read ?
This man knew my first and last name, which is what worried me and made me think it might be legit
Also, I am a firefighter/medic, and my app profile pic is me in uniform with a visible badge. If he was a scammer, I would think he would see that and move along ( another reason I think it could be legit)
How can I find out if there is in fact a warrant for my arrest?
Should I get an attorney on retainer, and have him contact this guy and try to get more info ?
Any suggestions / answers are appreciated !
Fast forward a little over a month later ( few days ago ). I receive a text from the same number, with the following : " Mr. H****** this is Anthony's father. I've been on the phone with the State Attorney General's Office after my son attempted suicide when being confronted about sending you nude photos. I need you to contact me ASAP or I'm going to have a warrant issued for your arrest".
I text him back, and he asked that I call him in 5 minutes on that number. I call him, he doesn't answer but then calls back. I listened as he talked, and he made the following points :
1. That his son is in the hospital after attempting suicide
2. I am guilty of solicitation of a minor, even though our talks were not sexual of nature
3. I am old enough to be his father, and it is not looking good for me and will not look good in a trial
4. Even though I told him to refrain from sending nude pictures, the fact that I did not block him is solicitation
5. That he has given his statement to the police, and they referred him to social services/child protective services
I let him finish, and then explained to him that again our talks were never sexual, I never asked for pictures, and I instantly told his son to refrain from sending anything of that nature. I also explained to him that if he reads the messages, he will see clearly that I told the son I was not interested due to his age, and maybe in the future after he is over 18 we could talk.
The father then stated again that this was still solicitation, and the situation is not good. We talked for a bit, and then his tone changed and he became more unsure. He told me he could not run the hospital bills through his military insurance, and he is going to have bills for counseling as well. He told him he was going to talk to his wife, and decide how to proceed. He told me he doesn't think he is going to pursue it, but he needs to talk to his wife, and she might suggest that I make a donation to a child abuse charity as opposed to pressing charges and putting the son through that process.
He closed the conversation in saying that he will talk to his wife, and I will probably hear back from him within a few days. He also said if I did not hear from him in a week or two, then to forget it and that nothing was going to happen.
So that is where I stand right now. I researched online, and found numerous examples and reports of scams very similar to this, from all different dating apps. I found many variations of the scam, some of which involve a fake police officer asking for money via western union, or the accuser asking for donations in exchange for silence. If anyone here google searches it, you will find many examples that sound very close to what happened.
I once again want to stress, I did what I thought was the right thing and expressed my dis-interest after learning he was 17. I never asked for pics, never saved any pics, and we never had anything near that of a sexual discussion.
Few questions:
What is everyone's opinion on this ? Have I committed a crime based on what you've read ?
This man knew my first and last name, which is what worried me and made me think it might be legit
Also, I am a firefighter/medic, and my app profile pic is me in uniform with a visible badge. If he was a scammer, I would think he would see that and move along ( another reason I think it could be legit)
How can I find out if there is in fact a warrant for my arrest?
Should I get an attorney on retainer, and have him contact this guy and try to get more info ?
Any suggestions / answers are appreciated !
