An official complaint has been lodged with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Unit (FinCEN) of the U.S. Treasury Department by a brave whistleblower, asserting serious allegations against Mastercard and Visa. It is claimed that these prominent payment networks have turned a blind eye to the illicit laundering of funds associated with child sexual abuse material and sex trafficking on the popular platform OnlyFans. The complaint, reportedly submitted by a seasoned financial compliance expert, raises concerns that Mastercard and Visa were well aware of the nefarious use of their payment systems to facilitate payments for illegal content on OnlyFans.
According to reports by Reuters, the whistleblower has accused these industry giants of essentially condoning the flow of illicit revenue through their networks. In response to inquiries, FinCEN has declined to provide specifics regarding submissions made to its whistleblower program or confirm the existence of any ongoing investigations related to the matter. Visa, on its part, has emphasized its strict policies against illegal activities on its network, expressing strong condemnation for all forms of sexual abuse. The company reiterated its commitment to enforcing rigorous compliance standards for financial institutions and merchants utilizing its network, warning that non-compliance would result in termination.
Similarly, Mastercard has conveyed a zero-tolerance stance towards illegal activities on its network, asserting that no evidence of current illicit behavior has been substantiated. In the midst of these allegations and responses, OnlyFans, the platform at the center of the controversy, has remained silent in the face of requests for comments from news outlets. The whistleblower’s complaint, officially submitted to FinCEN and the U.S. Justice and Homeland Security departments in January 2023, has brought renewed attention to the issue of illegal content circulation on social media platforms and the responsibilities of major financial service providers in combating such activities.
The situation is further complicated by previous warnings reportedly issued to Mastercard and Visa by anti-trafficking experts in 2021 and 2022 regarding illicit content on OnlyFans. Notably, in response to pressure from banking partners and financial entities in 2021, OnlyFans had initially announced plans to restrict sexually explicit material on its platform. However, this decision was swiftly reversed following backlash from a vocal segment of its creators and user base. As the implications of these allegations continue to unfold, the broader conversation around online content regulation, financial compliance, and corporate responsibilities in addressing illicit activities is once again thrust into the spotlight.
