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* Some folks made fun of Ron Sandack for claiming that he was being targeted because he was a “high-profile” person. Turns out, he was right…
The Philippines sextortion scheme that toppled Downers Grove state representative Ron Sandack cost him $3,000, the ABC 7 I-Team has learned, and was part of a much larger criminal web.
Police records newly obtained by the I-Team reveal that overseas scammers snared Sandack and more than a dozen other “victims” in 10 states, including “higher profile individuals primarily in the medical field (such) as doctors or real estate agents and includes political figures.” Sandack and the others from New York to Seattle made at least 18 payments to scammers according to police, totaling more than $14,000.
The scandal that snared Sandack and prompted his sudden resignation from the General Assembly occurred in July. However, investigative records we received under the Freedom of Information Act show that similar sextortion cases occurred between September 2015 and July 2016. Typically, such blackmail schemes involve women encouraging men to disrobe on camera, followed by explicit sex talk and activity.
“This past July, I was the target of an international crime ring focusing on high-profile individuals luring them to engage in inappropriate online conversations with the intent of extortion,” Sandack said in a statement released at the time. “I took their bait and fell for it hook, line and sinker.”
It’s still pretty darned stupid and reckless behavior, but it’s also kinda scary that there’s a ring of people out there who do this.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 3:03 pm
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Thankfully for Mr. Sandack, he managed to lower his profile quite considerably. He won’t have to worry about being deviously tricked into, ahem, “exhibitionism” on camera anymore.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 3:09 pm
You wouldn’t believe what it cost me to get that Nigerian princess out of prison. But my big score is coming, any day now.
If you mess around on Facebook, you’re inviting every grifter and con artist into you’re life. I thought that was common knowledge by now.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 3:12 pm
If there’s a scam to be had someone will think of it. “High profile people” have to be smarter than this. If Sandack hadn’t participated in the inappropriate exchanges outside of his marriage we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 3:12 pm
I don’t think it’s appropriate to report on this case anymore. He’s a private citizen. He deserves his privacy.
I know the police report is a public record, but still. He resigned. That should be the end of media attention on him.
Comment by Dan Johnson Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 3:13 pm
Dan,
I disagree for the very reason it is helpful to know what was behind all of this. That there are scammers out there doing this sort of thing is good for people to know. I agree completely that Sandack has had a sufficient penalty and I hope his family finds peace, but there is a relevant public policy angle here.
Comment by archpundit Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 3:25 pm
I’m sorry he and the others got scammed and were blackmailed. However, he is not suffering from dementia, senility, or other mental disability. He engaged in this inappropriate conversation of his own free will, knowing what it would cost him in terms if his public and private life. He has himself to blame. He didn’t get lured.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 3:30 pm
Disrobing on camera followed by explicit sex talk and activity?
That’s why I come here to CapFax!
See my new tattoo?
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 3:33 pm
Hello there Mr. HOT STUFF!
You say your name is Ronnie?
Why don’t you and CARLOS DANGER show me your legislative staff?
Why so shy Captain Rich?
Doesn’t everyone like to see this?
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 3:40 pm
Maybe I’m old-fashioned, but to me a married man pleasuring himself while someone other than his wife watches is infidelity. This isn’t like being caught skinny dipping.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 3:41 pm
“I don’t think it’s appropriate to report on this case anymore. He’s a private citizen. He deserves his privacy.”
So when Bruce and Mike retire, we should just let them fade into obscurity as well? Riiiiiight.
Comment by Romeo Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 3:43 pm
===“I don’t think it’s appropriate to report on this case anymore. He’s a private citizen. He deserves his privacy.”===
So were George Ryan, Rod Blagojevich and Aaron Schock… When you were a somebody, it is news.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 3:49 pm
Around one hundred years ago Mrs Patrick Campbell said, “It doesn’t matter what people do in there bedrooms as long as they don’t do it in the street and scare the horses.” These days she would have to change it to “… as long as they don’t do it on the Internet and scare the voters.”
Comment by Bigtwich Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 4:10 pm
If this “episode” deters a few people to act on a similar proposal against their better judgment, the publicity may have a positive purpose because it makes the victim and the consequences real. Still a bummer for the guy who will have to live with it.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Nov 10, 16 @ 4:10 pm