Escort tries to blackmail client

An Auckland prostitute has been arrested after she threatened a client she would spill the beans to his wife unless he paid her $3000.

Amber Dyson, 20, has appeared in North Shore District Court on an extortion charge.

Her brother Jason told the Sunday Star-Times she had been desperate for money to pay the rent.

He thought Dyson met the man at a club where she worked.

The man was well-known among her friends for cheating on his wife and bragging about their "strong marriage" so she thought she'd give it a go.

"The down side is she might go to jail," her brother said.

He said his sister texted the man with her demands earlier this month.

The man become nervous and started calling her and texting her to try to negotiate.

He arranged to meet her at St Lukes mall to discuss the matter but showed up with a detective. Police officers who looked like members of the armed offenders squad arrested her and confiscated her mobile phone, complete with incriminating text messages.

"They wouldn't have had anything on her if she didn't have a phone," her brother said.

Prostitutes' Collective national co-ordinator Catherine Healy said that in 21 years in the position she had heard of only three cases where sex workers had tried to blackmail clients.

The workers themselves are more often victims of blackmail.

"It happens that her cover is blown and sometimes she's in a situation where someone will say, 'I'm going to tell your other work or your family'."

Clients' details (if known to the prostitute) were usually confidential.

She says it is a shame to think someone would be so desperate for money. She advised sex workers who were having difficulties or feeling threatened to contact the collective.

When contacted by the Star-Times the man declined to comment.

- © Fairfax NZ News