Crossville Man Claims He’s Being Blackmailed by Prostitution Ring

A Crossville man told police that he is being blackmailed by a prostitution ring.  The victim said he responded to an ad on a website for an escort and paid by using $200 worth of gift cards. He was later asked to provide an additional $500 for insurance and he again paid in gift cards. At that time he also sent three explicit pictures of himself. After realizing the transactions were a scam and refusing to send more money, he began receiving phone calls and texts threatening to release his photos on his social media accounts. He was advised to change his phone number as well as make new social media accounts. The incident was turned over to the Crossville Investigation Division.