Real Estate Agent and OnlyFans Model Kay Jenkins Falls Victim to Social Media Scam

Social media has revolutionized the way people connect and share their lives with others, but it has also created new opportunities for scammers. One such scammer, known as OBN, has been wreaking havoc on social media platforms like Instagram and Meta by shutting down profiles and demanding ransoms to restore them. Real estate agent and model Kay Jenkins is just one of the many victims of OBN’s scam. Jenkins, who has over 100,000 followers on Instagram, had her account repeatedly deactivated by the scammer, who also charged people to request the takedown of an account. OBN has made a fortune from his scam, claiming to have made $300,000 by banishing celebrities and influencers from social media platforms.

The Social Media Scammer: Who is OBN and What is the Scheme?

OBN, also known as the “log-out king,” is a prolific social media scammer who has been targeting Instagram and Meta users since at least 2021. The scheme involves OBN deactivating social profiles on these platforms and demanding a ransom to get them back online. He also charges people who request him to take down an account. OBN claims to have banished a number of celebrities and influencers from Instagram and Meta, making $300,000 in the process.

One of OBN’s victims is Miami real estate agent and model Kay Jenkins, who has a 100,000-follower strong Instagram account. Jenkins had her Instagram accounts suspended repeatedly after moving from Utah to Miami in March 2021. She ultimately paid OBN more than $10,000 to get her account restored, which didn’t initially happen, though it appears to be active again with significantly fewer followers. Jenkins hired a lawyer and is demanding $25,000 from Meta, which has not responded to her letter.

ProPublica tracked the anonymous OBN down to 20-year-old Edwin Reyes-Martinez, a Las Vegas resident. Reyes-Martinez denied knowledge of the account before claiming someone named Brandon used him to funnel money. Meta has since sent Reyes-Martinez a cease-and-desist and banned him from the site. Despite OBN’s success, the company has removed dozens of accounts connected to the scammer.

The Victim: How Miami Real Estate Agent and Model Kay Jenkins Fell Prey to OBN

Miami-based real estate agent and model, Kay Jenkins, has come forward as one of the many victims of OBN’s social media scam. Jenkins claims that OBN deactivated her Instagram account multiple times since 2021, making “sure that your life is miserable and that he’ll try and get as much money out of you as he possibly can.” This was particularly devastating for Jenkins as she is also a model with an OnlyFans account, where she earned between $15,000 to $20,000 per month in subscriptions and sponsorships. After moving from Utah to Miami in March 2021, Jenkins saw her Instagram accounts suspended repeatedly, and she ultimately paid OBN more than $10,000 to restore her account.

Jenkins first discovered that her accounts were being shut down by OBN after being on a podcast with an influencer who later confessed to having OBN target Jenkins out of jealousy. Her main Instagram account went up and down based on the status of her friendship with the influencer. The Instagram problems were so pervasive and destructive to Jenkins that she contemplated suicide. Jenkins hired a lawyer and demanded $25,000 from Meta, which has not responded to her letter.

Jenkins’ story is not unique, as many other influencers, celebrities, and everyday users have also been victimized by OBN’s scheme. It is believed that OBN has made over $300,000 from his scam, which involves shutting down social profiles on Instagram and Meta before demanding a ransom to get them back online. The hacker also charges people who request OBN to take down an account.

The Dark Side of Social Media: How OBN Shut Down Accounts and Demanded Ransom

OBN’s scheme involved a hacker shutting down social media accounts on Instagram and Meta before demanding a ransom to get them back online. OBN also charged people who requested him to take down an account. He has dubbed himself the “log-out king” and claimed to have gotten a number of celebrities and influencers banished from the social media platforms.

Kay Jenkins, a Miami real estate agent and model, fell prey to OBN’s scheme after moving from Utah to Miami in March 2021. She had a 100,000-follower strong Instagram account that was repeatedly deactivated by the scammer. Jenkins learned her accounts were being shut down by OBN after being on a podcast with an influencer who later confessed to having OBN target Jenkins out of jealousy. Her main account went up and down based on the status of her friendship with Celina Powell, the influencer.

Jenkins ultimately paid OBN more than $10,000 to get her account restored, which didn’t initially happen, though it appears to be active again with significantly fewer followers. The Instagram problems were so pervasive and destructive to Jenkins that she contemplated suicide. Jenkins hired a lawyer and is demanding $25,000 from Meta, which has not responded to her letter.

The Toll on Victims: Kay Jenkins’ Struggle with Mental Health and Financial Losses

Kay Jenkins’ experience with OBN’s social media scam was not only financially devastating but also took a severe toll on her mental health. She was constantly stressed and anxious, worrying about the fate of her accounts and the possibility of losing her source of income. She even contemplated suicide due to the severity of the situation. Jenkins’ experience highlights the dangerous consequences that can arise from online scams.

In addition to the emotional impact, Jenkins also suffered significant financial losses due to the scam. She paid OBN over $10,000 to restore her account, and even then, it took a significant amount of time for her account to become active again. While her account is now restored, Jenkins’ follower count is significantly lower, and she has lost potential business due to the prolonged downtime of her accounts.

Unfortunately, Jenkins’ story is not unique, and many other individuals and businesses have fallen victim to social media scams similar to the one carried out by OBN. The prevalence of such scams highlights the need for increased awareness and education on how to identify and avoid these schemes, as well as the importance of holding social media companies accountable for the security of their platforms.

The Investigation: ProPublica Tracks Down OBN to Las Vegas Resident

After investigating the matter, ProPublica was able to trace the social media scammer OBN to a Las Vegas resident, Edwin Reyes-Martinez, who denied having any knowledge of the account before alleging that someone named Brandon used him to funnel money.

According to ProPublica, Reyes-Martinez may have been working with OBN or, at the very least, closely linked to the account. After making contact with Meta, the social media company sent Reyes-Martinez a cease-and-desist and later banned him from the site.

The investigation into OBN and his scamming operation is ongoing, with more victims likely to come forward in the future. The case serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of social media and the need for greater regulation and protection for users.

Fighting Back: Jenkins Hires a Lawyer and Demands Compensation from Meta

After being victimized by OBN, Kay Jenkins is fighting back. She has hired a lawyer and is demanding compensation from Meta, the parent company of Instagram, for failing to protect its users. Jenkins is seeking $25,000 from Meta, which has yet to respond to her letter. In addition to seeking compensation, Jenkins is also raising awareness of the dangers of social media scams and encouraging others to report any suspicious activity.

Jenkins’ decision to fight back has garnered attention and support from others who have been targeted by OBN and other social media scammers. Many victims feel helpless and alone after being targeted by scammers who seem untouchable. By speaking out and demanding action, Jenkins is helping to empower others and hold these scammers accountable.

Jenkins’ fight is also highlighting the need for increased regulation and oversight of social media platforms. As the popularity of social media continues to grow, so do the risks associated with these platforms. Without adequate protections in place, users like Jenkins are left vulnerable to scammers and hackers who can cause significant financial and emotional harm. By pushing for change and demanding greater accountability from social media companies, Jenkins is helping to create a safer online environment for everyone.

This incident underscores a broader issue affecting content creators, especially those on platforms like OnlyFans. Scammers employ various tactics, such as phishing, account impersonation, and fraudulent service offerings, to exploit creators. For instance, some pose as managers or agencies, promising increased visibility and earnings, only to defraud creators. 

To safeguard against such threats, consider the following measures:

• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts, making unauthorized access more difficult.
• Be Cautious with Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive details publicly and be wary of unsolicited messages requesting personal data.
• Verify Service Providers: Before engaging with agencies or managers, research their credentials and seek reviews from other creators.
• Stay Informed: Regularly update yourself on common scams and tactics used by fraudsters to better recognize and avoid them.

By implementing these precautions, content creators can better protect themselves from scams and maintain the integrity of their online presence.