I am mostly UTR but this struck a cord with me and I want to applaud you Alex I guess you could say I have been a " hobbyist" all my life Anyway, IMHO the Internet was originally a great blessing but has become a curse as well . It has made it way too easy for providers and clients and that results in hightened risks for all of us.
In the early days we had a "club" With ladies and men That knew each other, had social events and had each others' backs . I had friends (both men and women) all over the country . This was pretty much UTR but over time it was like peeling on onion. In my case one guy reached out to me and WE HAD LUNCH, then I was invited to join the"group" . Gradually I met some ladies and other men and gradually I was invited to join smaller and smaller groups . Some guys were in a few groups (geographical) and I began to learn about other parts of the country .
Those were "the good ole days"and I miss them
Finally, as Alex puts it, there needs to be mutual trust, knowing we all have a lot to loose. Stick to your guns Alex.