Massage Business Owner Recounts Damage From Doctored Photos, False Allegations

A Thai massage parlor owner in Redcliffe, Queensland, has spoken out against the damaging effects of doctored images and false allegations that have negatively impacted her business. Lun Smith, owner of Lun's Beauty & Massage Spa, stated that her business has suffered substantially due to online misinformation.

The controversy began when an innocent photograph of Smith with Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf, taken after he received a massage, was manipulated. The altered image replaced Woolf's face with that of Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson and included a sexually suggestive hashtag that Smith claims she never used.

"He never came here. I don't know him," Smith said of Robinson, emphasizing the falsity of the doctored image. "That is fake."

Smith provided original photographs to media showing her smiling alongside Woolf. However, the manipulated version, which she believes to be AI-generated, created a false impression of her establishment.

Smith stated that her business is professional and does not engage in any illicit activities. She noted that approximately 80% of her clientele are women, and her services include beauty treatments, deep-tissue, sports, and remedial massages.

An earlier social media post featuring Dolphins captain Tom Gilbert, who had recommended the business to teammates, also attracted negative attention. Despite the post clarifying the nature of her services, false sexual comments persisted.

"We do deep and sport massage," Smith explained. "Please don't put negative comment of massage because massage it is a technique to heal your body from fatigue. But if you want something else, you have to go to a brothel. Not a massage shop."

Smith had been building her business for nearly two years and considered Woolf's visit a significant moment. She shared the photos to express gratitude, a common practice for her with customers.

Within hours of posting the image with Woolf, Smith said it began circulating online in its altered form. She described the experience as "nasty, and it's not right" and "unfair to me."

The fallout has been significant, with Smith reporting a notable decrease in customers. She also stated that she has received phone calls inquiring about sexual services since the incident, describing the callers as "d***heads."

Concerned about the potential impact on Kristian Woolf, Smith deleted the original post. She mentioned that Woolf had reassured her that neither of them had done anything wrong.