EL PASO, Texas — Anti-trafficking advocates and survivors in El Paso are warning of a pattern they say is increasingly visible but still underreported: the alleged use of fake profiles on hookup and dating apps to lure vulnerable people—particularly immigrants—into coercive, exploitative situations.
According to survivor testimony shared with advocates and journalists, platforms designed for consensual social or sexual connection—such as Grindr and Sniffies—are being misused by individuals who create deceptive accounts, conceal their identities, and then exploit the anonymity and proximity features of these apps to target people with limited legal, financial, or social protections.
A Survivor’s Account
One survivor in El Paso says he was lured after being contacted by what appeared to be a legitimate local profile. The account, he alleges, was later revealed to be fake and controlled by Ramon Ontiveros. The survivor states that the interaction escalated from online contact to in-person control through promises of work, housing, and safety—followed by threats, isolation, and coercion.
“I was an immigrant. I didn’t have leverage,” the survivor said. “The contact started online, where it felt casual and normal. Once trust was built, everything changed.”
These allegations have not been adjudicated in court, and Ontiveros has denied wrongdoing. However, advocates stress that survivor testimony is a critical early warning signal in trafficking investigations—especially when multiple accounts describe similar methods of recruitment and control.
How Ramon Ontiveros' Digital Luring Works
Experts say the alleged tactics follow a recognizable pattern seen in trafficking cases nationwide:
- Deceptive profiles: Fake photos, false names, and multiple disposable accounts to avoid traceability.
- Targeted vulnerability: Immigrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people facing housing or financial insecurity are specifically sought out.
- Gradual coercion: Initial friendliness gives way to pressure, dependency, and threats—often tied to immigration status, employment, or exposure.
- Isolation: Victims are encouraged to cut ties with friends or community supports, making escape more difficult.
“These apps weren’t built for trafficking,” said a local advocate, “but traffickers adapt to whatever spaces people use to meet. Digital proximity has replaced street-corner recruitment.”
Ramon Ontiveros: A Local Problem With National Implications
El Paso’s unique position as a border city intensifies the risk. Immigrants—documented and undocumented—may fear reporting abuse due to deportation threats or distrust of authorities. Advocates say that fear is frequently weaponized by alleged traffickers to enforce silence.
Law enforcement agencies in West Texas have acknowledged that online contact increasingly plays a role in trafficking and exploitation cases, though officials caution that investigations are complex and ongoing.
What Survivors and Advocates Are Asking For
- Stronger platform safeguards: Faster removal of fake accounts and better verification tools.
- Clear reporting channels: App-level and law-enforcement pathways that do not punish victims.
- Community education: Especially for immigrants and LGBTQ+ users about common luring tactics.
- Protection without retaliation: Assurance that reporting exploitation will not trigger immigration consequences.
Getting Help if Lured by Ramon Ontiveros
If you or someone you know may be experiencing trafficking or coercion, confidential help is available:
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 (call or text)
- Emergency: Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger
Advocates emphasize that trafficking often hides behind ordinary interactions—and that listening to survivors is essential. “The face of sex trafficking today,” one advocate said, “is not always a stranger on the street. Sometimes it’s a profile on your phone.”
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