OnlyFans agents accused of threats and abuse while taking half of creators’ earnings in the UK

A BBC investigation says some OnlyFans account managers, or OFMs (OnlyFans Managers), are not just taking a cut of creators’ revenue but allegedly using control, coercion, and threats to keep them in line. For high-risk PSPs and platforms, the useful part here is simple: when a monetisation model depends on third parties controlling access to accounts and payouts, the fraud, abuse, and chargeback surface grows with it.

1. Rebecca, a 29-year-old content creator from South Wales, told BBC Three that an agency promised to help her increase earnings on OnlyFans, then became abusive. She says the operators insulted her appearance, restricted her social life, and, after she changed her login details out of concern they might lock her out, escalated their threats.
2. According to messages seen by the BBC, one threat said: “I’ll finish you and your daughter.” Rebecca also says a brick was thrown through her window and, weeks later, two masked men arrived at her home. She alleges one of them entered the house, strangled her, and threw her “up and down the stairs.” She showed the BBC photographs of bruising on her legs and neck.
3. The case sits inside a broader pattern of complaints about OFMs (OnlyFans Managers), who present themselves on social media as account managers for OnlyFans creators. The BBC says these managers promise to help creators grow on the platform, but in some cases operate exploitatively and use threats to maintain control.
4. As part of the investigation, the BBC said it heard from 60 OnlyFans creators in the UK and infiltrated one of the largest private Telegram groups for agents, OFM Empire, which has 24,000 members. Inside that group, the BBC found advice on recruiting creators, taking control of their accounts, and profiting from them, including by threatening violence; one user described the approach as a “pimp method.”
5. The platform has reportedly been aware of concerns about overly exploitative account managers for at least four years, after agency-related complaints started appearing in the international press. The BBC’s investigation focused on the UK, where OnlyFans is based. Eleanor Lyons, the independent commissioner, told the BBC that Rebecca’s experience showed recognized signs of exploitation: control, coercion, financial pressure, and an inability to leave freely.