Romanian Cam Girls – The Wild West of Adult Webcams
Romania, a tiny country in Eastern Europe, is believed to be home to more than half of the world’s camgirls. In studios and from home, thousands of women perform for paying clients 24/7.
The industry thrives in a country with the lowest wages in Europe, beautiful women who speak English and good internet speeds. Dateline interviews the women who work behind the scenes, as well as the studio owners.
Why do Romanian women get involved in webcamming?
Romanian cam girls work in a Wild West of virtual studios, with little regulation and almost no oversight. The arrest of US born influencer Andrew Tate, and his partners, highlights a booming business that has been plagued with allegations of coercion and violence. Walkley award winner Calliste Weitenberg investigates.
Many of the women who work at Best Studios have no other jobs, and say they don’t know what their future holds. They often live in rural villages with few job opportunities. Many come from broken homes or have parents that work abroad. This reduces the family’s control. Many have no education or a clear plan for their future. Most learn a bit of English at school, then polish it on the job.
A few of the models have boyfriends who know of their occupation, but most don’t – it’s not unusual for people to hide their online work from friends and family. This may be because the work can be psychologically damaging, or because it can make people feel like whores.
Despite the risks, it is not uncommon for young people to get involved in webcamming. For some, it’s the only way to make money and provide for their families. Experts and activists working against trafficking and exploitation are also raising awareness.
How do they make their money?
The online porn industry provides a living for thousands of Romanian women. Cam models who broadcast up eight hours per day split their earnings with studios in accordance with contracts. Studio can provide models with space and training, as well as technology (computers and cameras) and props such as costumes or sex toy. The studios make money by charging clients for private sessions.
The industry is profitable. According to LiveJasmin’s top models, who work for the largest sexcam platform, they earn $50,000 or more per month. These figures do not include tips or any other income. But the industry is also a hotbed for sexual exploitation and fraud, with criminals targeting foreign men who log in from North America and Europe.
Experts say that regulators and the police are blind to this issue. It is difficult to detect exploitation when women working in studios do not disclose their occupations to their family or friends. Many of these girls are also at high risk of being recruited into mafia rings.
Anti-trafficking activists say the industry needs better regulation. They’re working to raise awareness and educate young people about the risks. They’re also urging Romanian authorities to target studios and enforce the law on women who violate regulations or meet with clients in person. But some cam models argue that their work isn’t illegal because they choose to do it.
What are the risks of chatting with a Romanian webcam girl?
Romania’s adult webcam industry, which is booming, is notoriously unregulated. There are few government or law enforcement oversights. It’s like a Wild West, with seedy studios where punters pay for women to have sex in lingerie or panties. Some studio owners claim to be legitimate and are pushing for greater transparency, but the majority operate in a grey area. The industry also has links to sex trafficking and sexual abuse, as highlighted by the case of Andrew Tate.
Calliste Weitenberg, winner of the Walkley Award, visited Romania to meet with some of the cam girls there and to investigate the state of this industry. She finds many women are not only exploited by their employers, but also their viewers. They are often threatened with online sex-related harassing or “trolling”, and their friends and families are publicly exposed. Many people avoid talking to local viewers in order to protect themselves.
Romance scams are common among people who chat with Romanian girls. These fraudsters falsely pose as potential romantic partners to steal money or personal information. Their main goal is to manipulate the victim’s emotions through flattery and love-bombing tactics. If you suspect someone is lying, it is best to stop all communication and do a background search. This could be a reverse image of their profile photo or a deep dive into social media.
How to avoid being a victim of a Romanian webcam scammer?
Romanian romance scammers are adept at building trust and affection with their victims online, but they ultimately only want one thing: your money. They may spend weeks or months establishing a fake relationship with you before asking for personal information or money. They will often claim to be in financial trouble or have a medical crisis and ask for help.
Stoica and his brother are not alone in their sexy webcam ring; it’s estimated that more than two thousand studios operate in Bucharest, where beautiful young women strip for men from Western Europe and the United States who have the financial means to pay for sessions on a daily basis. Many cam girls are migrants from rural areas like Ramnicu Valcea who have few other employment opportunities. Some even move overseas expressly for the job, sending remittances back home via wire transfer offices.
Despite the existence of laws to combat these crimes they are difficult to prosecute due to their international nature. Also, victims may be reluctant to report them out of shame or fear of retaliation. Many scammers also use social media to create fake accounts that are difficult to identify by law enforcement.
The best way to avoid being a victim of a Romanian sex cam scammer is to be cautious and only talk to models who have verified IDs. Never send money to someone you don’t trust and always check their background before making a payment.