Mastercard and Visa are Linked to OnlyFans Abuse Claims, according to a whistleblower complaint filed with the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The allegations suggest that the two companies knew their networks had been used for unlawful activities since at least 2021.
Whistleblower Insights
The whistleblower, a senior compliance expert in the banking industry, claims that Mastercard and Visa ignored illicit transactions. Anti-trafficking experts and federal agents alerted them about the presence of child sexual abuse material on OnlyFans in 2021 and 2022. The whistleblower emphasized the companies’ responsibility to prevent illegal content from being monetized.
Evidence of Illegal Content
The complaint referenced a 2022 study by an anti-trafficking organization. This study identified a high number of OnlyFans accounts with indicators of child sexual abuse and sex trafficking. The whistleblower contributed to the research, which was shared with Visa and Mastercard.
On OnlyFans, these credit card companies handle transactions between creators and customers. The complaint accused them of directly facilitating the flow of money from illicit activities. It claimed that both companies failed to implement effective anti-money laundering programs as required by the Bank Secrecy Act.
Regulatory Response
FinCEN received the whistleblower’s complaint in January 2023. However, the agency does not confirm the existence of complaints publicly. The Justice and Homeland Security departments declined to comment on the matter. It remains unclear whether any action has been taken in response to the allegations.
The whistleblower expressed frustration at not being contacted by the agencies after submitting the complaint. He reiterated that Mastercard and Visa could stop the flow of illegal funds if they chose to.
Mastercard and Visa’s Stance
Both Mastercard and Visa claimed they were unaware of the whistleblower complaint until contacted by Reuters. They disputed the allegations and highlighted their efforts to prevent illegal activities on their platforms.
Visa stated that non-compliant merchants would be removed from their network. A spokesperson emphasized their use of robust controls to detect and address illegal actions. Mastercard affirmed its commitment to high standards and collaboration with partners to act on illegal activity when identified.
Ongoing Investigations
Following the whistleblower complaint, additional reports of child exploitation on OnlyFans have emerged. In July, it was revealed that numerous explicit videos featuring minors had been available on the platform since 2019. A child exploitation investigator reported multiple accounts containing sexual content featuring underage girls.
Mastercard described these findings as alarming but insisted that law enforcement needs to provide specific evidence for action. Visa did not comment on whether they would investigate these allegations.
OnlyFans’ Position
OnlyFans has not addressed inquiries regarding the whistleblower complaint. The company states on its website that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards child abuse and trafficking content. It claims to take down or block any violations and reports illegal activities to authorities.
OnlyFans has rapidly become one of the most lucrative creator platforms. The site generates revenue through subscriptions and pay-per-view content. In September, it reported $6.6 billion in payments to creators, a 20% increase from the previous year.
Payment Processing Dynamics
Unlike many adult websites, OnlyFans relies on payment cards for transactions. The platform retains 20% of creators’ earnings. Mastercard, Visa, and Discover are primary card providers, processing most payments made on the site. In contrast, American Express prohibits its cards for adult content transactions.
In 2020, Visa and Mastercard halted payments for Pornhub amid child abuse allegations. This shift forced the adult platform to rely on advertisements and user data sales.
Continued Scrutiny
The allegations against OnlyFans have garnered significant attention. In 2021, lawmakers called for a Justice Department investigation into child sexual abuse material on the site. While Mastercard engaged with anti-trafficking experts, reports of underage exploitation persisted.
The Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative published a study in April 2022 that found numerous accounts indicative of abuse on OnlyFans. The whistleblower confirmed reviewing this report, emphasizing its alignment with the financial industry’s anti-money laundering obligations.
Conclusion
The whistleblower’s complaint raises critical questions about the accountability of Mastercard and Visa in preventing illegal activities. The continued allegations of child sexual abuse and trafficking on OnlyFans highlight the urgent need for effective oversight and regulation within the financial sector.
