Influencers and public figures flaunting their wealth online is nothing new, but recently, the consequences for this behaviour seem to be greater. With a string of assaults and robberies on influencers globally, we have to take a look at how criminals target influencers, why, and where executive protection comes in. Today, we’re breaking down the most shocking stories of last year and diving deep into why they happened and how they could’ve been prevented.
Cases of Criminals Targeting Influencers
One of the biggest celebrity robbery stories certainly has to be when Kim Kardashian was robbed in a Parisian hotel in 2016. The criminals were accused of carrying out or aiding the armed burglary of $10 million worth of jewelry.
At the time, crime stood out as a cautionary tale of why celebrities shouldn’t show off their wealth, share their locations, or go against the advice of their protection teams. However, today, ten years after the burglary, a new subset of celebrities is being targeted, as we’re seeing influencers being robbed and attacked.
Here are just a few of the biggest stories that shook the social media sphere in the last year.
The Watch King in Queens
In July, a popular influencer, Moshe Haimoff, better known as the Watch King, was robbed in front of his home in Utopia, Queens. According to Haimoff’s report, he was getting out of his car when he was approached by a masked man, wearing a vest and armed with a stun gun.
The 39-year-old influencer said that the perpetrator shot the gun, hitting Haimoff in the right leg. At that moment, Haimoff tried making a run for it, but was tackled to his own lawn by the suspect. As seen on the surveillance video, that’s when a second masked perpetrator appeared and pinned the popular influencer down.
Within only 30 seconds, the robbers took Haimoff’s watch and the chains off his neck. The chains, branded with the Watch King logo, were thrown back at Haimoff’s face. In the attack, Haimoff lost more than $550,000 in jewelry but walked away with minor injuries.
On his socials, The Watch King says her believes he was targeted and that the attack was set up by someone he knows. Following the attack, Haimoff has said he has hired round-the-clock security, but the robbery won’t stop him from pursuing his social media and luxury watch career.
Amouranth in Houston
Houston-based streamer and influencer Kaitlyn Siragusa, known as Amouranth, has spoken about a targeted home invasion at her northwest Houston residence earlier this month.
In an interview with FOX 26 Houston, Siragusa said three men broke into her home while she was asleep, confronted her at gunpoint, and demanded cryptocurrency. She claimed the attackers assaulted her during the incident, including pistol-whipping her multiple times.
Her husband, Nick Lee, said he fired shots at the suspects after hearing the attack unfold over the phone, causing them to flee. Houston police confirmed the robbery division is investigating the case.
Siragusa reported suffering a head laceration and said the couple plans to increase home security following the incident, which has sparked broader concerns about targeted crimes against high-profile online personalities.
Nick Sortor in Minneapolis
A conservative US journalist and influencer has described a frightening incident while covering protests in Minnesota. Nick Sortor said he was attacked while reporting on demonstrations opposing ICE operations.
Video shared online shows a group surrounding the vehicle in which Sortor was travelling with fellow journalist Cam Higby. During the confrontation, Sortor said his camera, valued at approximately $1,000, was taken as the situation escalated. The crowd reportedly damaged the vehicle and issued threats, forcing the journalists to attempt to leave the area.
Sortor later claimed that while trying to recover his camera, the suspects drove off suddenly while his hand was caught in the car door. Icy road conditions reportedly increased the danger. He also said some bystanders told them to leave and claimed they did not belong there. According to Sortor, individuals followed their vehicle for nearly 30 minutes while honking continuously.
After the incident was shared on social media, the FBI acknowledged the report, stating that the matter is under investigation and that support has been offered.
Talking about the situation on X, Sorter said, “A group of Somali thugs just ROBBED me of my $1,000 camera in the Cedar Riverside neighbourhood of Minneapolis. They then DRAGGED ME DOWN THE STREET as my hand got trapped in their door handle. NOBODY bothered helping. DHS MUST RAID THIS PLACE.”
Cameron Golinksy in Rio de Janeiro
Cameron Golinksy is a popular Canadian influencer living in Brazil, who claims he was drugged and robbed after accepting a drink from two strangers during a night out. In a video he posted to his Instagram on October 31, Golinksy said that the alleged assault was carried out by two men in Rio de Janeiro.
Golinsky said, “They got me to bring them to my house, and from there they knocked me out. They robbed me. I woke up naked two days later, and evidence is pointing (to the fact) that I was raped.”
According to a police report, Golinsky has stated that he led the men back to his home in Copacabana, which is when he lost consciousness. He then woke up two days later to find that the men had stolen around $3,000 and his cell phone.
Rio de Janeiro Civil Police have identified at least one of the suspects in the attack, which has been referred to as the “Goodnight, Cinderella” crime. The name of the crime refers to similar crimes where criminals use drugs to rob their victims. The man police have identified has an outstanding arrest warrant for another “Goodnight, Cinderella” case.
Deepak Sharma in Delhi
A street assault involving social media influencers has been reported in Delhi’s Tilak Nagar, where influencer Deepak Sharma was allegedly attacked in broad daylight. Video of the incident, which has since circulated widely on social media, shows Sharma being beaten by a group of men.
Sharma identified fellow influencer Pradeep Dhaka as one of the main accused. He said he had travelled to Tilak Nagar to attend a ceremony and was called outside shortly after arriving, where he was allegedly attacked without warning.
Following the incident, Sharma filed a police complaint naming Rajvir, Pradeep Dhaka, and others. Delhi Police confirmed that a case has been registered and that one accused has been arrested.
Police said both Sharma and Dhaka were attending the same gathering on Mall Road and that the incident appears to have stemmed from a dispute related to social media posts. A team has been formed to identify and arrest the remaining suspects.
Shaniki Hernandez in Belize City
A Belize-based Instagram influencer was robbed while livestreaming from her home in the early hours of Sunday morning, according to local reports.
Shaniki Hernandez, whose real name is Flowayne Colon, was broadcasting live from her bedroom around 1:30 a.m. when a masked man allegedly entered her home through a window and confronted her. The attacker reportedly tied her up and stole multiple items, including mobile phones, jewelry, a watch, and a wallet containing cash, with the stolen items valued at approximately BZD $6,800.
Hernandez was not physically injured but appeared shaken in a video shared after the incident. She has since filed a police report, and authorities say the matter is under investigation.
The robbery sparked mixed reactions online, with some users questioning the incident while others expressed concern and support for the influencer, who has more than 1.2 million Instagram followers.
Lorna Luxe in The Cotswolds
British fashion and lifestyle influencer Lorna Luxe has spoken about being burgled as part of a wider discussion about the challenges of being an influencer. In an episode of the Passenger Princess podcast released in October 2025, she addressed “the dark sides of being an influencer & being burgled” alongside other topics.
According to the influencer, she had planned a last-minute getaway with her husband, which meant they were out of the house. She says that she knew that something was wrong straightaway, as soon as she approached her home. Luxe saw broken glass, but thought the burglars couldn’t have gotten into her home safe.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case as Luxe realized the entire safe and all of its contents had been burgled. There are no official suspects or reports of the crime yet.
Why and How Criminals Target Influencers
What makes an influencer or public figure so much more susceptible to an attack? Why and how do criminals target influencers?
How are the influencers supposed to protect themselves, and what are the biggest risk points that they’re missing?
With robberies and assaults on the rise, it’s more important than ever to get answers to these questions.
Disproportional Visibility
The line between cyber and physical security is increasingly blurred, and thanks to their disproportionate visibility, social media influencers are among the most exposed. With an estimated 64 million influencers on Instagram worldwide, high visibility combined with frequent sharing of personal content has created new security risks.
Popular social media trends such as “Get Ready With Me,” “Day in the Life,” and home tours often reveal locations, routines, and details about home layouts and security measures. This level of oversharing can make influencers easier targets for stalking, burglary, and home invasion.
Criminals can use publicly shared content to track an influencer’s movements, identify when a home is unoccupied, and assess potential entry points. Recent cases worldwide show influencers being stalked, robbed, or targeted after displaying wealth or broadcasting live from their homes.
Public Displays of Wealth and Luxury
Influencers who regularly showcase designer clothing, jewellery, high-end vehicles, or luxury homes can unintentionally signal their value to criminals. Public posts make it easier for threat actors to identify high-value targets, assess potential rewards, and plan opportunistic or targeted crimes, particularly when location and timing can be inferred from content.
Account Takeovers and Cybercrime
Influencers and public figures are frequent targets for hacking, phishing, and account takeovers due to the commercial value of their online presence. Compromised accounts can be used for extortion, fraud, or to gather personal information that may enable physical targeting. In some cases, cyber incidents have preceded real-world crimes, further blurring the line between digital and physical threats.
Intense Social Media Use
High posting frequency increases exposure by revealing daily routines, travel patterns, and real-time locations. Over time, this creates a detailed behavioral profile that can be exploited by stalkers or criminals. Even content shared casually can contribute to predictable patterns, making influencers more vulnerable to surveillance and targeted attacks.
Executive Protection and Influencers – A New Age?
As influencers gain audiences comparable to public figures and executives, their risk profile is beginning to mirror that of traditional executive protection clients. High visibility, predictable routines, public travel, and perceived wealth have made many influencers increasingly vulnerable to both opportunistic and targeted threats.
Unlike corporate executives, influencers often lack structured security planning, relying instead on personal judgment while sharing large volumes of real-time information online. This creates exploitable patterns that can be used for stalking, burglary, harassment, or extortion. In several recent cases, digital exposure has directly translated into physical targeting, highlighting the growing overlap between online presence and real-world risk.
As a result, executive protection is no longer limited to boardrooms, diplomats, or high-net-worth families. Influencers with large followings, frequent travel schedules, and monetized public personas are emerging as a new category of protectees, requiring tailored risk assessments that account for both cyber and physical exposure in an increasingly online environment.
