MODELING SCAMS RIP OFF HOPEFULS

Modeling scams are usually advertised in newspapers as photo-shoots for wanabee models/actors, taking place in hotels or pubs. Genuine modelling agencies do NOTadvertise for new models in newspapers, or conduct photo-shoots in hotels and pubs. The genuine agencies take their cut from the fee the model gets from the client.

The wording of these modeling scams usually states that 'anyone is suitable', which further encourages people to go along and take a look. They never point out that some hard work and committment are involved to produce success, which of course is obvious to most sensible people. Their contract also often states that should the prospect not hear from two agencies within a year, their money will be refunded in full. Lo and behold, two 'agencies' do get in touch but with further requests for money to enable prospects to be included on the 'agency's' website. Sometimes the address of the follow-up 'agency' is at the same address as the company advertising the photo-shoot! How convenient and cosy for both to be located in the same building!

Registration with the 'agent' is usually around £180 and credit/debit card machines are prominently displayed, intimating legitimacy and a business-like attitude. If you pay via debit card, you have no redress from your card company; if you pay via cheque at least you can cancel the cheque, despite their promise of retribution! The scammers will not want to run the risk of court action, for fear of exposing their lies, so I shouldn't worry too much on that score.
THE GOOD NEWS is that Legitimate modelling agencies do NOT advertise hotel photo shoots in newspapers. They have enough wanabee models/actors contacting them to ensure a steady stream of new talent, without the need to advertise.

Photographer Gary Edwards has produced an excellent website detailing the various modeling scams used by rogue agents to lull people into parting with their money. By their very nature, con-artists are plausable and very good at allaying your fears. Visit Safe Modelling for a valuable insight what to watch out for to avoid modeling scams, before you part with your money.

Another very good source of information on modeling scams is by actor Clive Hurst on Anactor.net. Clive has campaigned for many years to try to get up-front payments outlawed, alas without much success, but not for want of trying. The stumbling blocks seems to be government officials and politicians, for reasons which most people with common sense would attribute to a lack of political will.

An informative expose on modeling scams by the BBC can be found at Inside Out
Apart from this, there is not a lot more which I can say that hasn't been already said:-

* Don't be fooled into thinking that fame comes easily; it only comes to those who are determined to succeed.

* Do not pay anything on the 'interview' day; ask to take their proposals away to study them at home. If they demure, simply go to your local modelling agency and speak with them about what you want to do in your new career.

Up-front payments in any industry are a disincentive for agents to find you work. Indeed, why should they when they make a good income from registration fees.

If you have any queries concerning modeling scams or the legitimacy of your prospective agent, please contact me and I will try to point you in the direction of someone who might be able to help. Contact me, Mike Jozefiak, via Email.

A very useful government site Directgov, with lots of advice on modeling scams, and others, can be found at Stars, not tears, in their eyes

Letter to manager of Novotel Ipswich following a photo-shoot at his hotel.

Dear Mr. Ughetto,
Thank you for your reply to my concerns about modeling scammers using hotel venues to persuade people to part with their cash. If you wanted to meet with me to discuss anything, maybe we could meet half-way, say in Norwich? My home phone number is 01263-734990.

I realise it is often difficult for hotels to spot these up-front fee scams, but I am sure you are now much better in the picture (literally too!). I too never knew this sort of thing went on, until my wife fell victim to this scam in Norwich. Could I request that in future you could stipulate that a hotel representative could attend all sessions to ensure no up-front fees were being demanded? That should cause some gnashing of teeth at the other end of the phone!!

One way to reduce the venues open to them might be if you could please mention the latest episode at your hotel, and the BBC coverage, when you next contact the general UK management team, and urge them to really scrutinise any bookings from West 1, Rondevous, Regardez, and many more such names which you will find on www.anactor.net .

These modeling scams rely on poor publicity about their practices, so it is up to us to publicise these rogues as much as possible and anything you can do to help will do their intended victims and the legitimate industry a big favour. It could be your daughter or son next!

More info about the dangers lurking in the modelling world can be found at Safemodelling.org
Alba Models (good info on rogue companies names - most scammers listed, though not exhaustive)
And a Government site

Hopefully, with your help, we can start to squeeze them out of 'business'. We would be grateful if you could please sign the Downing Street petition at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Modelling-Scams/ and to ask as many of your friends and colleagues (and their friends etc.) to do likewise. Many thanks.

Letter to Managing Director of Archant Newspapers 9th Oct 2007 requesting action on modeling scams

You may or may not have see the Look East programme about a week ago on modeling scams, which showed what went on at a 'photo shoot' at the Ipswich Novotel.

These so-called free photo shoots are carried out by people who charge up-front fees, saying they will go into a register of models, and that if the prospect does not hear from two agencies within a year, they can have their money back. Sure enough, they are contacted by two more 'agencies', often run by the same people as the first lot, and with addresses in the same building. My wife was scammed by these people and when I checked with the OFT there were no such businesses registered at the addresses they gave.

BBC reporter Julian Sturdy went to the Novotel with a woman who had been conned, who spoke with prospects waiting to be photographed about her experiences. Many people left the hotel but sadly, many more were arriving. Up front fees is a scandal in the entertainment industry, recognised by parliament, but about which they have done nothing in ten years, despite many promises.

MP Mark Prisk has an Early Day Motion running to get the matter debated in parliament, again. I met with him in London earlier this year, also with anti up-front fees campaigner actor Clive Hurst (see www.anactor.net)

On the programme, Sandra Reynold Agency said "reputable agencies do not conduct free photo-shoots in hotels and bars". There are enough wanabee models coming through their doors without having to go touting for more!

These scammers often change their names, so it is difficult for hotels to spot them, however, it is much easier for newspapers, who carry their ads, to do so. They are always offering "...free photo shoots, anyone welcome, all ages considered..." (well of course they are, they want to maximise their profits!). In fact two of your papers carried the advert which brought all those hundreds of hopefuls to the Ipswich Novotel on 29th September. They were the East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star. The scammers always choose local papers.

The good news is that since I spoke with the EDP editor about this problem, he has given me assurances that his paper will not carry any such ads, and to date I have not seen any, for which, on behalf of the unwitting public, I am truly grateful.

These rogues make many millions of pounds annually (a venue weekly somewhere, with hundreds of prospects each charged at least £180, with follow-up payments, soon adds up!).

I'm sure Archant does not condone this activity and has merely been unaware, as I have until fairly recently, that this sort of thing goes on at all. As parliament has done nothing in ten years to curb this menace, the next best way to choke off their cash flow is to prohibit their advertising.

Would you be willing to take a look at the evidence and, if you found the case against these people compelling, to place an embargo on accepting this type of easily-spotted advertising in the future? You need have no fear that you might be damaging legitimate modelling companies, because they do not operate in this fashion. Hotels too can assist by either not taking such bookings, not making phone lines available for them to plug their card machines in, or putting up notices that no cash must be paid at the venue.

Furthermore, I have started an Downing Street Petition to have up-front fees made illegal at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Modelling-Scams/ It would be a great help if you could publicise this link to make people more aware of what is going on. A petition is only as good as the publicity!

Kind regards,