Popular Twitch streamer Pokimane has revealed a terrifying experience involving a disturbing threat she received after her phone number was leaked online. The incident highlights the challenges of fame in the digital age, where personal privacy is constantly under threat.
Imane Anys, better known as Pokimane, has been a prominent figure in the online streaming community for nearly a decade, sharing various stories about her life during that time. Just a few months ago, in August, she publicly criticized a celebrity dating app, describing it as “cringe” after it refused to give her immediate access. Shortly after, Pokimane revealed that YouTube had made her a significant offer that almost led her to quit Twitch entirely. However, her latest revelation is far more troubling and deeply personal.
On October 6, 2024, during a live stream, Pokimane disclosed that both her and a friend’s phone numbers had been leaked, leading to a chilling phone call where she was threatened with sexual assault. The streamer explained how the caller used a technique known as number spoofing, which allows someone to disguise their number as another one.
“Basically, my phone number was leaked, and they also found my friend Ray’s number,” Pokimane shared. “They were able to spoof their number, so when they called me, it looked like my friend Ray was calling. My phone shows it’s Ray, so I pick it up, and immediately I hear this deep, weird voice saying, ‘Pokimane, I’m coming to r*pe you right now.'”
The horrifying nature of the call has left Pokimane deeply shaken. She went on to explain that experiences like this have made her reluctant to share her phone number with new acquaintances, adding that she now feels apprehensive even about answering phone calls.
“It’s reached the point where, when I meet someone new, I have to tell them not to call me. I have trauma from phone calls now,” she admitted. “Even if I get a call, I always panic, thinking it’s an emergency or something bad.”
This wasn’t the first time Pokimane has discussed unsettling experiences involving her phone. Just a few weeks earlier, on September 21, she shared another incident during her podcast with fellow content creator LilyPichu. She recalled how a man who had messaged her caused his wife to call and berate her, leaving Pokimane in shock. “She just starts yelling at me, and I couldn’t even speak. I was too shocked and scared, so I just hung up.”
These alarming encounters shed light on the dangers faced by high-profile figures in the digital age, where leaks of personal information can lead to threatening and traumatic situations. Pokimane’s candid revelations show how online fame can come with a heavy price—one that affects both privacy and mental health.