Quebec Man Arrested for Filming and Extorting Sex Workers
A 43-year-old man, Martin Pillay, was arrested in Montreal for filming his sexual encounters with 34 women, most of whom were sex workers, without their consent. He then used the footage to extort them, police say. Pillay was taken into custody on Tuesday morning in the Saint-Laurent borough, facing charges of voyeurism, extortion, soliciting sex, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Longueuil police spokesperson Ghislain Vallières said the investigation found that Pillay had been recording these encounters since 2019, with investigators contacting at least three identified victims. Authorities are encouraging any other potential victims to come forward.
Sandra Wesley, director of Stella, a Montreal-based organization advocating for sex workers, highlighted the frequent extortion cases within her community. Wesley explained that perpetrators often threaten to expose workers’ real identities, making it harder for them to seek help without facing serious personal risks.
Despite the police urging victims to contact them, advocates like Wesley warn that such actions often worsen the situation for sex workers due to possible repercussions involving their families, landlords, or even police seizures.
Police investigations into Pillay’s actions are ongoing, and they are seeking more information about additional victims.
