Podcasts > Rotten Mango > Influencer Lures Followers To Move In, Then Sex Traffics Them To Fund Her Witchcraft

Influencer Lures Followers To Move In, Then Sex Traffics Them To Fund Her Witchcraft

By Stephanie Soo & Ramble

In this episode of Rotten Mango, the summary explores Kat Torres' disturbing crimes and alleged involvement in a human trafficking ring. The podcast examines Torres' background and rise as an influencer with a claimed ability to communicate with spirits. It details Torres' alleged luring of vulnerable women to the US under false pretenses, coercing them into exploitative sex work to fund her obsession with witchcraft.

The summary sheds light on Torres' apparent mental health issues and delusional claims to be the "Messiah," as well as her use of isolation tactics and threats of violence or deportation to control victims. Despite conviction, Torres continues maintaining innocence while advertising her purported abilities online.

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Influencer Lures Followers To Move In, Then Sex Traffics Them To Fund Her Witchcraft

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Influencer Lures Followers To Move In, Then Sex Traffics Them To Fund Her Witchcraft

1-Page Summary

Kat Torres' Background and Rise

Born into poverty in Brazil, Kat Torres developed a manipulative personality early on to survive a turbulent childhood. Despite modest success in modeling and acting, Kat remained disillusioned, vocal about exploitation of women. She married crypto millionaire Colborn Bell, though Soo reports Kat flaunted wealth online before his fortune, straining their marriage with her social media obsession.

Kat's Mental Health and Ayahuasca Use

From a young age, Kat claimed to communicate with spirits, believing herself a medium. Her involvement with ayahuasca rituals in the Hollywood Hills, induced visions and trances where she spoke to deceased figures, says Soo. This apparent misuse harmed Kat's mental state, causing paranoia and personality shifts observed by husband Colborn.

Human Trafficking and Victim Exploitation

Kat allegedly lured vulnerable women like Desiree and Leticia to the US under false pretenses, coercing them into sex work through spiritual manipulation and isolation tactics. Soo reports Kat controlled victims' lives, assaulted them, and threatened deportation to extract earnings from exploitative labor. Desiree realized her trafficking situation from a poster.

Delusional Behavior and Victim Control

Claiming to be the "Messiah" and a planetary force for change, Kat made bizarre spiritual claims in talks and online, from speaking to "the voice" since childhood to commanding witches. Soo describes Kat's paranoia, aggression and perceived threats she wanted "destroyed." Despite conviction, Kat continues advertising abilities, maintaining innocence.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew used traditionally in spiritual ceremonies in South America. It contains DMT, a potent hallucinogenic compound that can induce intense visions and altered states of consciousness. Some individuals believe that ayahuasca can lead to spiritual insights and healing, but its effects can vary widely and may also pose risks, especially when used inappropriately or without proper guidance. Misuse of ayahuasca has been associated with negative mental health outcomes such as paranoia, personality changes, and exacerbation of existing mental health issues.
  • Kat Torres is accused of luring vulnerable women to the US under false pretenses and coercing them into sex work through manipulation and isolation tactics. She allegedly controlled the victims' lives, assaulted them, and used threats of deportation to extract earnings from exploitative labor. One victim, Desiree, realized her situation when she saw a poster. Kat's behavior included claiming to be a "Messiah" and making spiritual claims that were described as delusional.
  • Kat's delusional behavior, including claiming to be the "Messiah," suggests she believes she has a special, divine purpose or status. This kind of belief can be a sign of a serious mental health condition where a person's thoughts and perceptions are significantly distorted from reality. It often involves grandiose or exaggerated beliefs about oneself and one's abilities, which can impact their behavior and interactions with others. In Kat's case, these delusions may have contributed to her erratic actions and the harm she caused to those around her.

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Influencer Lures Followers To Move In, Then Sex Traffics Them To Fund Her Witchcraft

Kat Torres' Background and Rise To Influence

Kat Torres is a figure whose story is marked by a challenging upbringing in Brazil, a manipulative survival instinct, limited success in the modeling and acting industry, and her marriage to a cryptocurrency millionaire.

Kat Grew Up Poor In Brazil, Developing a Manipulative Personality Young

Kat Torres’ early years were characterized by poverty and a toxic family environment in Brazil. An alcoholic father and a frequently absent mother forced her to fend for herself from a young age. Her survival often depended on her own wits, as her family sometimes disappeared for days, neglecting to provide her with basic necessities such as food and money. This upbringing led Kat to view others as chess pieces, developing a manipulative streak driven by anger and the belief that people could be controlled if she found the right leverage.

Kat Believed She Was Destined For Wealth and Success, Adopting an Attitude of Control and Manipulation

Despite being told that a prosperous future was out of her reach, Kat was steadfast in her belief that she was entitled to wealth and success. This belief ultimately shaped her approach to life, manifesting in a determined attitude influenced by control and manipulation.

Kat's Limited Success in Us Modeling and Acting

Kat’s career in model management, namely with Elite Model Management, was moderate. She found herself working in smaller-scale lingerie and swimwear gigs, which left her with a taste of the cutthroat world she wished to leave behind.

Kat Disillusioned With Modeling and Acting, Claiming Exploitation of Women

Her ventures into modeling brought back memories of her tumultuous childhood in Brazil and led to a sense of disillusionment. Kat became increasingly vocal about the dark aspects of the modeling industry, pinpointed by predatory men who she claimed would victimize women with threats if they did not comply with their desires. Her experiences soured her on the industry, even though she gained some attention from Hollywood circles, like being linked with Leonardo DiCaprio in 2013; at Cannes, her actual achievements, like being an extra in a music video, were more tenuous. She carried a deep-seated regret about not securing financial stability through relations with wealthy individuals she encountered during her modeling career.

Kat Married Younger Crypto Millionaire Colborn Bell

Kat and Colborn Bell's paths crossed at an ayahuasca ceremony where she sought to cleanse herself and start anew. Despite concerns, Colborn, moved by her trauma ...

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Kat Torres' Background and Rise To Influence

Additional Materials

Counterarguments

  • Kat's upbringing may have instilled resilience and resourcefulness, not just manipulative tendencies.
  • Belief in one's entitlement to success can be a form of self-motivation and ambition rather than mere manipulation.
  • Limited success in modeling and acting does not necessarily equate to disillusionment; it could also be a stepping stone to other opportunities.
  • Highlighting exploitation in the modeling industry could be seen as advocacy for change rather than a sign of personal disillusionment.
  • Marrying a crypto millionaire does not automatically imply a lack of personal achievement or financial independence.
  • Flaunting a lavish lifestyle online could ...

Actionables

  • Reflect on your personal history to understand how it shapes your behavior, especially in relationships and career choices. By journaling about your upbringing and the values you were taught, you can identify patterns that may lead to manipulative tendencies or unrealistic expectations. For example, if you grew up in a challenging financial environment, consider how that impacts your attitude towards money and success now.
  • Evaluate your online presence for authenticity and its impact on your personal relationships. Take a week to observe your social media behavior without posting anything. Note any urges to present a lifestyle that doesn't match your reality and how this might affect your relationships. Afterward, set guidelines for yourself to ensure your online persona aligns more closely with your true life, which can help foster genuine connections.
  • Explore ethical ways to achieve personal goals without resorting to manipulation. Set a goal, such as a ...

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Influencer Lures Followers To Move In, Then Sex Traffics Them To Fund Her Witchcraft

Kat's Mental Health Issues and Involvement in Ayahuasca

Kat, a self-proclaimed medium, has experienced significant mental health challenges, which have been compounded by her involvement with ayahuasca, a powerful hallucinogenic plant.

Kat Claimed a Spiritual Connection and Communication Ability With "the Voice" From Young Age

From a young age, Kat has perceived herself as a medium capable of communicating with spirits. She recounts that she has heard voices, particularly one she refers to as "The Voice," which she believed was not a figment of her imagination but a medium for her to converse with spirits.

Kat Believed She Could Speak To Spirits

Kat firmly believes that she has the ability to speak to spirits, considering herself a medium. Her belief in this connection has been a consistent part of her identity since she was a child.

Kat Used Ayahuasca to Induce Trances and Visions

Kat's practice of using ayahuasca involves conducting sessions in a mansion in the Hollywood Hills from Saturday night until Sunday midday or night, not for religious purposes but rather for "the vibes." Here, they would sing songs while Kat led the ceremonies.

Kat's Improper Ayahuasca Use Harmed Her Mental Stability

It has been suggested that not only was Kat participating in intense ayahuasca sessions every two weeks, but she also induced herself into 13-hour trances during which she claimed to converse with iconic figures and deceased individuals. These practices led to concerns about the potential mental harms of improper ayahuasca use. Leticia, a participant in these sessions, was caught on video holding a glass of ayahuasca, suggesting she was influenced by Kat.

Kat's Ayahuasca Use Caused Paranoia and Erratic Behavior

Stephanie Soo warns about the dangers of poorly facilitated ayahuasca ceremonies, implying that they ...

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Kat's Mental Health Issues and Involvement in Ayahuasca

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Kat's self-proclaimed mediumship and communication with spirits suggest that she believes she has a special ability to connect with entities beyond the physical realm. This belief is rooted in her experiences of hearing voices and feeling a presence she interprets as spirits. Kat's perception of being a medium involves her acting as a channel for communication between the spiritual world and the physical world. This aspect of her identity has been significant since her childhood and shapes her understanding of her place in the world.
  • Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew traditionally used by indigenous tribes in the Amazon for spiritual and healing purposes. It contains DMT, a potent hallucinogenic compound, which induces altered states of consciousness, vivid visions, and introspective experiences. The brew is typically prepared by combining specific plants, like Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaves, known for their psychoactive properties. Ayahuasca ceremonies are conducted under the guidance of experienced shamans to facilitate spiritual growth, self-reflection, and emotional healing.
  • Ayahuasca is a potent hallucinogenic brew traditionally used in spiritual and shamanic rituals in the Amazon rainforest. Improper use, such as frequent and unguided consumption, can lead to severe psychological distress, including paranoia, delusions, and exacerbation of underlying mental health issues. The intense and often overwhelming experiences induced by ayahuasca can be destabilizing for individuals, especially when used without proper guidance and in a non-traditional setting. Concerns about mental harm from improper ayahuasca use stem from the potential for these powerful experiences to trigger or worsen mental health conditions.
  • Stephanie Soo's warnings about poorly facilitated ayahuasca ceremonies highlight the potential risks associa ...

Counterarguments

  • Kat's belief in her ability to communicate with spirits could be a personal interpretation of her experiences, and there may be alternative psychological explanations for her perceptions.
  • The use of ayahuasca in traditional contexts is often surrounded by specific cultural rituals and guidance, which might mitigate some of the risks associated with its use in non-traditional settings.
  • The suggestion that Kat's mental stability was harmed by improper ayahuasca use could be challenged by considering other factors in her life that may have contributed to her mental health issues.
  • The incident of severe psychological breakdown could be an isolated case, and not all individuals who part ...

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Influencer Lures Followers To Move In, Then Sex Traffics Them To Fund Her Witchcraft

Kat's Human Trafficking and Exploitation of Victims

Stephanie Soo reports on the harrowing case of Kat Torres, a figure centrally involved in human trafficking, entangling vulnerable women in a web of exploitation and abuse.

Kat Lured Vulnerable Women, Like Desiree and Leticia, To the US Under False Pretenses

Kat Torres allegedly drew vulnerable women to the United States by offering them deceptive opportunities and manipulated their beliefs to coerce them into sex work.

Kat Coerced Women Into Sex Work and Labor Through Spiritual Manipulation, Threats, and Isolation

Kat Torres used spiritual manipulation and threats to coerce women into sex work and labor, targeting victims like Desiree, who had moved from Germany without belief in witchcraft but became indoctrinated. Leticia, who was implicated as a powerful figure or "the capeta" within Kat's operations, was also a victim. Women were drawn to Kat under pretenses such as assisting her or becoming a model, like the instance where Kat tried persuading Chloe to abandon her law studies to become a model in the United States.

Kat Controlled Every Aspect of Victims' Lives, Forcing Them to Hand Over Earnings and Denying Them Outside Access

Torres not only controlled her victims' work in sex industries but dominated all aspects of their lives, dictating their schedules, finances, and even basic needs.

Kat Trapped Victims by Assault, Threats, and Deprivation of Basic Needs

Kat trapped her victims through various means such as assault, threats, and depriving them of their basic needs. Desiree recounted being forced into dancing and seeing clients daily, with relentless demands by Kat to yield earnings, even under harsh conditions like illness or lack of rest. Kat's control extended over group practices in their Texas home, where a specific room was designated for witchcraft, although Kat herself was not religious, pointing towards the manipulative environment she curated.

Exploited Victims' Immigration Status to Maintain Compliance

Kat leveraged the precarious immigration statuses of Desiree and others to tighten her grip, increasing financial demand ...

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Kat's Human Trafficking and Exploitation of Victims

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can educate yourself on the signs of human trafficking to better recognize and report suspicious activities. Start by visiting websites like the National Human Trafficking Hotline or Polaris Project, which offer comprehensive resources and training modules. By understanding the tactics used by traffickers, such as isolation and financial control, you'll be more equipped to notice red flags in your community or when interacting with service workers, such as noticing someone who seems fearful or controlled by another person.
  • Volunteer with local organizations that support survivors of trafficking to provide practical assistance and advocacy. Look for non-profits and shelters in your area that offer services to trafficking victims and inquire about volunteer opportunities. You might help with tasks like organizing donations, providing transportation, or assisting with educational programs. This hands-on approach allows you to contribute to the recovery and empowerment of individuals who have experienced exploitation.
  • Support legislation and policymakers that aim to protect ...

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Influencer Lures Followers To Move In, Then Sex Traffics Them To Fund Her Witchcraft

Kat's Delusional and Erratic Behavior

Kat's behavior, which ranges from claiming spiritual powers to making bizarre, unsubstantiated assertions, has been a cause for concern and has led to manipulative control over victims.

Kat Claimed Spiritual Powers and Divine Plans to "Save the World."

Kat Claims to Be the "Messiah" and Global Movement Leader in Videos

During a talk show, Kat claimed to have been given energy and a voice by God since she was eight years old, asserting her ability to read minds and tune into people's vibrations. She tells Chloe "the voice" is guiding her and used spiritual manipulation to control Desiree by telling her she doesn't trust the angels protecting her, suggesting herself as the provider of "abundance."

Moreover, Kat's public appearances and online behavior, including laying on the floor under the influence, repeatedly saying "body" and "pink," and during a live stream with a man named Zachary, she referred to herself as the Messiah, positioned to heal and rule the world. She also claimed to be the queen of the universe and asserted she would provide her followers with green cards to the U.S. The podcast refers to her as the female Andrew Tate, suggesting that she has claimed spiritual powers with intentions to "save the world." She further claimed to command witches and to be an "important tool for planetary change."

Kat Deemed Others Threats to Be Destroyed or Killed

Kat Showed Paranoia, Aggression, and a Disconnect From Reality Online

Kat's posts on social media indicated paranoia and a disconnect from reality, with claims she could influence international conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, and her aggressive behavior shown through threats on Instagram towards her perceived enemies. She indicated that others were after her, with the potential to harm her, while threatening and showing aggression to people she considered threats, which included hoping someone's daughter was ugly and wishing that someone would lose all their children. Stephanie Soo also recounted incidents of Kat's paranoia and aggression.

Kat's Delusions and Claimed Abilities Manipulated and Controlled Victims Further

Kat, Convicted Of Trafficking, Claims Innocence and Makes ...

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Kat's Delusional and Erratic Behavior

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Kat's delusional plans to move to Brazil and open a brothel staffed by young witches suggest a disturbing and fantastical scheme that reflects her distorted beliefs and intentions. This plan showcases her erratic and concerning behavior, as it involves illegal activities and exploitation of vulnerable individuals. It underscores the severity of her delusions and the potential harm she could cause by act ...

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