Former sex worker Amber McCabe demanded cash amid threats to expose clients’ infidelity

A former sex worker who blackmailed clients told one to “think what this could potentially cost” if his wife discovered his infidelity. Read the messages she sent.

A sex worker who blackmailed clients by threatening to expose their infidelity over frustrations at cancellations told one to “think what this could potentially cost if your wife finds out”.

Amber Suzanne McCabe, 51, of West Beach, sent messages to two clients demanding they transfer cash, or she would expose their unfaithfulness to their partners last November.

Judge Joana Fuller detailed the messages as she sentenced McCabe in the District Court.

She said McCabe had told one client, referred to as HE, that if he did not pay her $300 she would tell his pregnant wife that he had hired a prostitute.

McCabe told him she had “hired someone to look out” for her in case she was “messed around”.

“He and his associates have a way of finding out information, like he already knows your name HE and will send a screenshot of our conversations of you requesting the services of a working girl to Vicky,” one message read.

In another message she asked for a further $300.

“Otherwise just think what this could potentially cost if your wife finds out,” the message said.

Amber McCabe outside the District Court with her lawyer Chris Pouras after an earlier hearing. Picture: Supplied

Amber McCabe, a former sex worker who blackmailed clients with threats of revealing their infidelity for cash. Picture: Facebook

The second victim, who had sent the woman $20 in exchange for images of a naked female, was told to send $250 after being asked if their appointment still stood.

In another message demanding a further $300, McCabe told the man, referred to as RP, to send the cash “before Tahlia gets a screenshot of your conversation with my friend”.

She also sent the man a screenshot of his girlfriend’s Facebook profile with a message saying: “It’s going to cost you a sh*tload more than $300 once I press send, last chance.”

The first victim paid $1360, while the second transferred $650 to McCabe.

McCabe pleaded guilty to three counts of blackmail over the offending, which Judge Fuller described as persistent but “very unsophisticated and easily detected”.

“The harm you intended to cause your victims was embarrassment and humiliation by threatening to notify their partners that they have sought your services,” she said.

She said McCabe, who now plans to pursue a different career, had made a “veiled reference to some form of intimidation or harm” to one of the victims which had caused “considerable anxiety” for him and his wife.

Judge Fuller said McCabe, who suffers from multiple medical conditions, offended during a period of “extreme instability” in her life when she was under financial pressure without stable accommodation.

“Your offending occurred against the background of you becoming increasingly frustrated at people who were making inquiries and bookings for your services and then cancelling at the last minute or not showing up,” she said.

Judge Fuller said she would have imposed a sentence of almost 11 months, reduced to three to account for almost eight months McCabe spent in custody after her arrest.

She suspended the term on condition of a 12-month good behaviour bond and ordered she repay both men.