Inside Dubai's dark underbelly as models lured to sick 'Porta-Potty' parties

Irish Daily Mirror

20 hours ago

Dubai, known for its dazzling high-rises, swanky shopping centres and the coveted influencer lifestyle, hides a murky underbelly. The city is witnessing an alarming trend of exploitative gatherings labelled as "Porta-Potty" parties.
These sinister events, said to be hosted by affluent individuals, seduce impressionable young models and influencers with offers of hefty sums of money, extravagant presents, and posh hotel stays.
However, beneath the allure is a grisly reality of severe sexual humiliation, physical mistreatment, and potential judicial troubles for the women caught up in these situations. A case in point surfaced on TikTok, raising alarm about an influencer who received overly-generous gifts from an unknown admirer she encountered at her gym on Wednesday.
Jade, known as @outplayedbyjade on the platform, hails originally from France but made her journey to Dubai, chronicling her experiences online. In her upload, she narrates how after leaving her workout session, employees presented her with a present from a man she had briefly spoken to while exercising.
"I didn't think much of it," she says, detailing that the gift comprised a bundle of flowers and chocolates from the gentleman she had exchanged words with at the gym, reports the Mirror.
Feeling charmed, she messaged the number he'd left with his offerings to express her gratitude. Following this, she then got a call from a store attendant at the upscale jewellery boutique Van Cleef & Arpels.
"I'm a very curious girl, so I make my way over to the shop," she narrated. "This assistant pulls out a beautiful bracelet and a matching necklace."
In total, the bling was worth about €3,500.
While Jade was chuffed to bits with her presents, her followers were swift to caution the influencer that he might be a "professional" and to "be careful", following reports of women being lured into "Porta-Parties" in Dubai.
One such case involves Maria Kovalchuk, a 20 year old Ukrainian adult model, who allegedly ended up left for dead after one of these parties.
Maria went missing after informing her mum that two blokes, posing as modelling agents, had invited her to stay the night. She never boarded her plane to Thailand.
On March 19, ten days later, Maria was discovered on the side of a road in Dubai, with a crushed spine, broken bones, and severe internal injuries.
Maria has endured several operations, and with her family now by her side, they're scrambling for answers. Reports suggest she is still recovering from the horrendous injuries.
Dubai Police have acknowledged Maria is getting medical attention, insisting she "entered a restricted construction site alone and fell from a height". A claim that many are sceptical of, considering the grim whispers surrounding her ordeal.
Russian lawyer Katya Gordon, who has been closely monitoring the case, made a stark claim: "Model Maria Kovalchuk was found dying on the side of the road in the UAE after a party. The scandal with the Porta Potty parties has been raging for over a year."
Gordon, along with others, suggests that Maria might have been coerced into participating in a degrading sexual act involving human faeces, which is a notorious element of these so-called "Porta-Potty" gatherings where humiliation and mistreatment are part of the experience.
These events are said to involve women being compensated with large amounts of money to engage in repulsive acts that include bodily fluids, degradation, and suffering.
While viral videos have shed some light on this murky underworld, much of the abuse remains concealed due to Dubai's polished image and stringent censorship regulations.
Moreover, the women who take part in these events could end up facing legal consequences. Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai, cautioned that women who attend these parties – even involuntarily – could be charged with adultery or indecency, particularly if married men are involved.
"Sex outside marriage has been legalised in Dubai, but organisers have exploited this. Women think they're attending a private party - instead, they're thrown into horrific, dangerous situations with real legal risk," Stirling explained.
As stories about "Porta-Potty" incidents become more prevalent, experts are advising caution for those travelling to Dubai:.
Be wary of unverified agents who promise substantial payments for ambiguous modelling jobs.
Never consent to heading off solo to private bashes or say yes to all-in trips without proper recon on who's hosting.
Keep the communication lines open with your mates or kin, sharing your whereabouts without fail.
Steer clear of popping into private chambers, swish villas, or yachts with folk you hardly know, particularly when the night wears on.
Get clued up on local legalities: Dubai's got some hard-and-fast laws, and foreign women could end up facing charges like public indecency, adultery, or prostitution, even if they've been pushed into it.
Maria's mum shared with Ukrainian news outlets, "She has no documents, no phone, nothing. She's had three operations. She can't speak. We were told she went to a party, but the promoter claims he never saw her. We're terrified of what really happened."