A social media influencer is accused of aiding in a 'sextortion' scheme that targeted wealthy married businessmen by luring them into online relationships, according to court documents. Kane Samms, 35, is named in two High Court cases where alleged victims claim they were threatened with exposure unless they paid large sums.
Samms, who also presents himself online as a bulldog breeder and amateur boxer, denies any involvement in blackmail or financially benefiting from such activities. He is awaiting sentencing next month for assault and intentional strangulation, as revealed by the Daily Mail.
The alleged victims reportedly believed they were interacting with young women met through the luxury dating site Seeking. After exchanging private messages and photographs, the businessmen claim they were identified and threatened with the intimate material being sent to their wives, families, and business associates.
One New York entrepreneur reportedly paid approximately $50,000 (£39,000) after being promised the deletion of exchanged material. However, he claims the threats resumed a week later, with demands escalating to £100,000. Another businessman stated he paid over £90,000 across four months as demands continued.
Samms was among four men named in emergency injunction proceedings designed to prevent the release of private material. Lawyers reportedly identified the accused using open-source intelligence, tracing email addresses, phone and WhatsApp numbers, and bank accounts.
Mr. Justice Fordham, presiding over the case of the American businessman, noted "conspicuous" links to Manchester, England, including sterling payments, British bank account details, and a voice message with a British accent. Investigators linked an email address to a Manchester address, and Samms was traced to another Manchester address and a British telephone number.
The High Court injunction orders the named defendants not to publish or disclose the businessmen’s private information and to provide details about the individuals controlling the dating profiles, messaging accounts, phone numbers, and payment channels.
Samms's long-term partner, TikTok star Natalia Armstrong, 25, reportedly ended their relationship after learning of the allegations. Friends described her as 'horrified' and unaware of his alleged activities, stating she has moved back to her family home.
When approached by the Daily Mail, Samms stated, "I did not authorise, facilitate or knowingly participate in any blackmail, nor did I receive any payment arising from blackmail. My position is that my bank details were used without my knowledge or consent for purposes of which I was unaware. I therefore strongly dispute any suggestion that I was involved in carrying out blackmail."