(NewsNation) — Several TikTok influencers have reported unexpected visits from private investigators, who are asking if they’re making money by sharing Sean “Diddy” Combs stories online.
TikTokers Samson Crouppen and Amala Ekpunobi deny any such arrangement and expressed fear and concern on NewsNation’s “Banfield” over the encounters.
Crouppen and Ekpunobi said the private investigators offered to pay them in exchange for identifying anyone allegedly funding their Diddy-related content.
Crouppen shared a video on his TikTok showing the two investigators arriving at his Los Angeles residence. He said the meeting was “terrifying” and he started filming the interaction right away.
“Something in my gut told me this is not normal and you need to film this interaction in case it got dangerous,” Crouppen said on “Banfield.” “The whole exchange is so shocking. It looks so unbelievable. I was genuinely terrified.”
Following the encounter, Crouppen filed a harassment complaint with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Ekpunobi says the same investigators visited her former residence, questioned her previous roommate, and then contacted her by phone.
“Maybe they’re going out and investigating influencers, trying to see if someone is corrupting the narrative. And then maybe they can say he can’t get a fair trial,” Ekpunobi said. “Fortunately, none of us are being paid. We’re covering this because it’s insane.”
Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges he “led a racketeering conspiracy that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice, among other crimes. “
Combs is currently seeking to be placed on house arrest through a $50 million bail package.
Last week, prosecutors said Combs has been trying to dodge scrutiny of his jailhouse communications while orchestrating social media campaigns aimed at tainting the jury pool and trying to publicly leak materials he views are helpful to his case. They said he also has contacted witnesses through third parties.