Name of Company / Individual

Classical Fotos / Elizabeth Ambrose

Details of Complaint Received

Two complaints received about classicalfotos (http://www.classicalfotos.webs.com/), the individual is believed to be male but going under the alias of Elizabeth Ambrose and Classic Fotos and Donald Hints.  There is no substances to the claims of finding models work, often promising thousands for shoots - but they will "pay on the day". 

Our Conclusion

We consider these scams to be of the highest financial risk to models.  Often models receive fake cheques which they bank, in the meantime the booker asks for a commission (or hiis/her "cut").  The original cheque never clears and if the individual times the scam right they can talk away with hundreds in ill gotten gains from the model.  Be extremely careful of anyone offering you monies like above, if it sounds too good to be true; then it probably is.  There is further a small risk of ID theft as these individual ask for address, full name, date o birth and even your National Insurance number some times.  Be extremely careful, if in doubt ask us before you go any further.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@

Individual has used three Facebook profiles - 'Rocky Dillon' 'Natasha Tah' and 'Raul Fernando Gill' - all of which have now been taken down.

DC Chris Page would like any models who have had dealings with this person - whether by email, phone, social network, face-to-face, etc - to please get in touch. Any information passed on to him will be off the record. In our conversation he came across as someone with a very sympathetic ear.

Chris is trying to build up a picture of the way this person operates, who has been affected, and whether any serious crimes such as assault have been committed. (Just to clarify, the connection to a murder case mentioned elsewhere is only circumstantial.)

You can contact Chris via the following:
christopher.page@met.police.uk
Mobile: 07500990972

If you have information but do not want to give your identity, please submit info at http://www.instituteofmodeling.org/sendcomplaint.asp

IF YOU ARE THIS INDIVIDUAL CONTACT THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY. THEY WILL FIND YOU. DELAYING THE INEVITABLE CAN ONLY MAKE THINGS WORSE.

Name of Company / Individual

David Gedant, Photographer

Details of Complaint Received

We have received complaints in reference to a photographer David Gedant, who lives and works in or around the London area.  The complaints consist of the following;

1)  Lewd sexual propositions

After networking with models, Gedant has tried to persuade models to do "extras" making it quite clear to the models he was interested in them having sex with him for money. 

2)  Unprofessional conduct

The individual is attempting to pass himself off as a 'professional photographer'  offering models shoots for between £1,000 - £2,000. With no intention of paying this money.  His camera equipment etc is nothing more than a digital camera and spends more time indecently propositioning models that actually taking photos.

Our Conclusion

We believe following the information provided by several models that this individual is potentially a physically dangerous individual who is showing attempts of forcefully propositioning models for sex.  Furthermore we feel there is likely to be a financial risk, given the amount of money often promised but never provided.  No model we have spoken to have been paid the money promised.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Glitter Models

Details of Complaint Received

Firstly, Glitter models were established on 11 June 2010, they claim to have been trading since 2008, yet companies house, nor any website has any record of them prior to 11 June 2010.

Claiming to be associated with Nuts Mag, the editors response was quite clear;

"Glitter Models have had absolutely no contact with Nuts magazine and are using our name and logo (or rather, what is supposed to  be our logo) without our permission. "

Listing packages for their website, from £12.50 "one-off" fee to cover "equipment, resources, mailings etc".

Our Conclusion

We do not believe Glitter Models pose any physical threat to models, however, their entire operation seems to be setup simply to collect the £12.50 listing fees from models.  Given the above evidence we think it unlikely they have the ability to deliver what they promise; all the brands they mention within their site do not work with the agency.

The business model simply works that if you can get 500 models to pay you £12.50, they will have earned £6,250 - not a bad return on a website which would have cost a few pounds to put live. However, this profit is made on the wishes, hopes and dreams of young models looking to gain entrance into the industry, which is clearly bad business practice.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Private Models Database / Mod El Man / Dean "Dazzle" Owen

Details of Complaint Received

Examples of their posts across forums / social networks include;

STOP BEING SUCH A WASTE OF SPACE............................................. .........................

SORRY THAT WAS JUST TO CATCH YOUR ATTENTION, BUT NOW YOU ARE READING THE MESSAGE PLEASE CONTINUE...

THERE ARE NEARLY 900 MEMBERS OF THIS FACEBOOK GROUP, ONLY 91 OF YOU HAVE ACTUALLY SENT THE EMAIL TO REGISTER AS PART OF THE MODELS DATABASE..

JUST JOINING THIS GROUP WILL ACHIEVE NOTHING

OUR CLIENTS , TOP MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS, PROMOTION ORGANIZERS, ADVERTISERS, AGENTS, BOOKERS ETC. DO NOT SCROLL THROUGH FACEBOOK GROUPS, DESPITE WHAT THE FAKES AND FRUADS ON HERE WOULD LIKE YOU TO BELIEVE.

THEY DO HOWEVER CHECK ON THE VARIOUS MODELING DATABASES FOR LATEST UPDATES AND NEW FACES.. SO PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS TO JOIN TOP HOUSEHOLD NAME AND THE HUNDRES=D OF NEW MODELS ALREADY SPOTTED AND NOW PUBLISHED...

email your details and images to

privatemodelsdatabase@gmail.com

-----------------------------------------------
more models are noticed, contacted and selected for published shoots and work offers from this database than any other in the world.

we only supply the details of members from this database to the top , most reputable companies and publishers. THERE IS NO PUBLIC ACCESS TO THESE DETAILS.

you can let us know as much or as little as you like regarding your modeling details by sending one simple free email.

THIS IS A COMPLETELY FREE SERVICE TO GIRLS THAT TAKE MODELING SERIOUSLY, AND WANT BE NOTICED BY PROFESSIONALS IN THE INDUSTRY ONLY.

the database is used to find new and existing talent in the modeling world by top publications, LOADED, MAXIM, MAX POWER, FRONT, FHM, NUTS , ZOO, DAILY STAR, SPORT NEWS PAPER,
by tv chanels, BABESTATION, NUTS TV, TVX, CLIMAX, PLAYBOY....
and by top companies looking for promotion staff for thier events, COCA COLA, PEPSI, FERRARI, ASTON MARTIN, STREET BIKE, FAST CAR, NEC...

MODELS CAN BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY BY ALL OF THESE COMPANIES ONCE ON THE DATABASE.

the database can not be accesed by random members of the public or by your facebook friends.

your details are NEVER shared other than with the top clients already mentioned.

you can simply email your name, (from the email address you like to be contacted on) along with one headshot..OR you can send as much information as you like to add to the database, cv, previous experiance, upto 30 images, stats, personal usefull info, profile, background etc.



privatemodelsdatabase@gmail.com
----------------------------------------------

Other fake names used;
Touch Promotions
Dream Team
Living the dream Portugal Portfolios
The Ministry of Models
The Model Directory
The Blonde Bombshell Tour
Beautiful Brunettes elite modeling team
Fantasy Football League
Portfolio Productions
Makeover Shoots
Kluxxx - which has been reported for using pictures of models that they do not act for

Our Conclusion

Be warned we consider Mod El Man to be a risk to any model.  Do not associate yourself with people like this - it can turn into a living nightmare as a few of our members have reported.  Once you have sent your contact information you are bugged to strip on cam, so that he can assess your figure before passing you on to his 'clients' - ban him from your profiles and report any contact you receive to us. We do not consider the individual to be a financial or physical risk.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Paul Stafford /

Details of Complaint Received

We had a anonymous tip off from a concerned member of the public, informing us of Paul Stafford background and that he is a convicted sex offender (copy of the newspaper article we were sent);

"A PROFESSIONAL photographer was jailed for three years after he was convicted of taking indecent pictures in his studio of a teenage schoolgirl.

A court heard Paul Stafford hoped to make money by setting up a website on the internet with the sordid snaps using titles such as 'homework horrors.'
Stafford, 52, a father of four, of Speak Close, Eastmoor, Wakefield was found guilty by a jury of one charge of taking indecent photographs and two offences of indecent assault on a 13-year-old girl. He was cleared of a fourth offence of indecency with a child.
Explicit
The court heard Stafford had gained the trust of a mother of two daughters, one of whom had shown an interest in modelling.
"But things progressed from inappropriate to indecent images which became more explicit," said Sharon Beattie, prosecuting.
The offences took place during one week in January last year when the teenager's mother was not present.
"Whether the photographs were destined for the website is unclear, but that may be what he had in mind," she said.
When he was arrested, Stafford said the girl was lying and the only photographs he took of her were "arty".
In evidence, he denied taking advantage of the girl but admitted: "With hindsight it was not the most appropriate thing to have done."
Jailing Stafford, who has no previous convictions, Judge James Spencer QC told him: "You have been convicted of very serious offences.
"I am quite satisfied that when you were approached by the mother of these girls you set about a course of grooming and then exploitation and abuse.
"You saw in that family an opportunity to satisfy your own greed and lust."
He said once the photographer had gained the family's confidence and trust he was "quite ready and eager" to abuse that trust.
The girl was an enthusiastic model but the family's trust was pushed by him to the "limits".
Judge Spencer added that having taken indecent photographs he compounded that by indecently assaulting the 13-year-old.
"You did it for money and in order to sell the photographs," he said. Stafford's name will be added to the sex offenders' register for life.
By Rod Hopkinson
Yorkshire Evening Post"

One model goes on to say;

"I was pushed into posing bottomless. I am really worried as he still has these pictures and i know that they could be very damaging to me."

A second model goes on;

"I would like to make an official complaint against Paul J stafford i had 3 Photoshoots with paul.. this was my first insight in to my career dream (which now has been shattered) each shoot took place at his home in the living room in wakefield the first shoot he was very polite kind and wiling to work at my pace the second time he told me i have to have alot more confidence and also try new things.... Topless, naked and so on i didnt wish to do any of this as i just wanted to do lingerie. Paul constantly bugged me to try topless and if i didnt want to try that... he ask about implied i felf forced towards doing this as he ask me constantly. I did implied but half the time he was making weird remarks to me about how i looked, most of the time my breasts werent covered i asked for the nipples to be covered he did take many pictures of me doing so and seeing my nipples he told me that he would remove the picture off his memory card later when he had more time so i trusted him to do so. The 3rd shoot he asked me to try new looks using my own thoughts and ideas but also then him adding his own saying i shouldnt wear any makeup as the pictures will look better and also in a school girl type uniform."

Our Conclusion

There is lots more information that we can not provide on this warning, as this is now a police matter.  We would like to warn all models that are approached by this photographer, who also goes by the name "Paul Mullins" to report the matter and not to attend any shoots. It is perfectly clear from his conviction that this offender is a dangerous man who poses a real physical risk to models. 

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Karin-Modles / John Freeman

Details of Complaint Received

This fake "agent" sends models cheques to bank, here is an example of his email;

Greetings...
Am John Freeman, I represent  KARIN-MODELS Inc... here in London , Your look is what we need, We wish to select two of your photograph images for a Littlewoods Catalog advertisement. All we need is five of your most recent finess photograph, We will have to select the best suited for the project from the five pictures you send, Once we have selected the suited for the job we will email back the two pictures we have selected.
Note: On these contract,absolutely no commision, no overhead costs, you just get payed for your pictures right away email address: karimodelcontact@gmail.com
Note: ONLY IF YOU ARE INTERESTED  ! ! !
John Freeman.
9825 West Runion Drive Peoria,
Arizona 85382
623-229-5548
http://www.karinmodels.com/
Our Site is Under upgrading...
"Catalog Advertisement" CONTRACT WORTH OF 9.500

Our Conclusion

Karin Models / John Freeman are a fake agency sending models stolen cheques.  The police and banking fraud departments are already onto this scam.  There is a real financial risk posed by this indiviudal;  models are asked to send him money after they receive cheque for his commission.  The cheque he sends never clears (as is a stolen cheque), your account may be locked by the bank whilst they investigate and a note on your credit file about fraud may prevent you obtaining credit in the future.   There seems to be no physical risk from this agent, however, he does ask for your postal address to receive the cheques!

The small print

The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Chic Models / Cem Toygar

Details of Complaint Received

This post was posted February 2010;

FEMALE ESCORTS WANTED, NEW FACES FOR ADULT WORK, GLAMOUR MODELS IN IN ANY LONDON

We are a new and successful photography & modeling/escort agency
(www.chicmodelsphotography.com) and we are now looking to expand in to the adult movie industry. We already have the relevant contacts and links and will soon be launching a new GLAMOUR WEBSITE (LIKE BABE STATION, PHONE SEX, WEB CAMING, ESCORTING) AND A NEW BRITISH PORN WEBSITE.

We looking for new faces to be featured on our new websites.

FEMALE ESCORTS: No experience necessary, willingness to learn, friendly and hardworking. IF YOU WANT EASY MONEY THIS IS THE JOB FOR YOU!
You must be 18- 35 and be able to travel to our studio for a photo shoot/audition in Woolwich Arsenal. Must bring proof of age (drives license etc) There is NO audition fee.

MALE ADULT PERFORMERS: We have now opened our books for adult performers.
Due to a high volume of previous applications, we only require WHITE OR BLACK MALES aged between 18- 30. Must bring proof of age and proof of being tested. We can recommend a few places for this.
Auditions will involve a photo shoot and interview.
Audition is fee �£50 non- refundable. If accepted you will be required to pay a one off fee of �£200 to be secure a place on our books.

FEMALE ADULT PERFORMERS: We have now opened our books for FEMALE adult performers. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! IF YOU ARE EITHER FUN, EASY GOING, OPEN MINDED, ADVENTUROUS, HARDWORKING AND LOVE SEX this is the job for you!

Looking for sexy and naughty women, if you have a high sex drive this would help!
Must be aged between 18- 30 and able to travel to our studio in Woolwich Arsenal for a audition/casting and photo shoot.
Audition Fee is �£50 non refundable. This goes towards your photo portfolio if you are later accepted. You will be also required to produce proof of age and proof of being tested.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EITHER OF THE ABOVE OR HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH.
chicmodelsphotography@live.co.uk

We have heard from various models who have been trying to enter the glamour modelling industry, Chic Models told them that there was no money to be made in modelling and that they should get into escorting (prostitution). They finish the message to one model; "its either porn, phone sex or escorting".

We have received further complaints in reference to webcam auditions; one trying to get a girl of 17 (who they were aware of her date of birth), to strip on cam.  The excuse for wanting to see models strip on cam was "to make sure they hadn't got fat since their last photoshoot".

The website was initially setup on 6 March 2010, although we have some record of them prior to this date.

Our Conclusion

This is one of the worst cases we have been informed of.  The agency pose a risk on both a financial and physical basis, although escorting is not illegal; pimping is.  We have passed our files on this organisation to their local law enforcement.  

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Tony Jones Rodgers

Details of Complaint Received

We have had reports of an 'scout' trying to get models to strip on cams; telling them its the only way he can 'assess' if they are suitable for the job.

Our Conclusion

This individual is not a professional, has no contacts and is simply after having girls strip for sexual gratification. We do not believe this individual is dangerous; merely a pervert with a fetish for having girls strip on cam.  However, do be aware these webcam sessions are often recorded and resold to adult sites who distribute the videos across the net.   All the evidence of your abilities and reviews is held in your profile; any further clarity on your looks and / or ability is always done face to face.  We do not believe the individual poses any financial or physical risk to models.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Sapphire Studios

Details of Complaint Received

We have had several reports of an aggressive photo studio trying to con young hopefuls with the team of becoming “The face of Sapphire”. Once models enter the competition they are invited to their studios in London for a free photo shoot. They pamper models with a glass of Wine as a free makeover (although quality of artists is poor at best).

After the shoot is completed, models are then offered copies of the photos for between £99 for 2 – to £1000 for a dozen. If models agree the copies they get are poor and the editing is terrible. Models that refuse to pay for photos are then given the ‘hard sale’ with quite aggressive and abusive staff trying to force models to purchase shoots.

Our Conclusion

After investigation we can confirm that this is just another cover for a photo studio.  The organisation do not offer any real competitions, this is just a marketing tool to get people through the doors.  They have no independent agencies working with them to offer contract through. There is no physical threat to models with this studio, although there is a clear financial risk; with pushy sales selling you photos for £50-£75 each.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Urban Model Agency

Details of Complaint Received

Urban Model Agency – yet another facebook / myspace based fraud looking to get models to strip on webcams; using the promise of work.

Urban Model Agency, was registered in March 2008;  website has been down for some time as the domain has expired and has not been renewed.

We received a complaint about SteveG directly;

some photographer i'm meant to be shooting  (SteveG) with implied nude for a magazine but he wants me to do full nude and i said no and he won't shoot me for the other just because i won't get all my kit off!  Steve got in contact with me. a friend was going to do a shoot with him on tfcd as she was just starting out and she gave him my email address. his email is steve--g@hotmail.com. the magazine was H&E naturist and for the front cover we were aiming for.  the website he wanted the full nude pics for was www.ukangels.net

Our Conclusion

We do not believe this agent poses any financial or physical threat to models. However, the claims of working with brands is unsupported and the webcam casting sessions will often end up being sold online to adult websites.  This can serious damage your modelling career if you're trying to get into high-end fashion etc.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Beauty Links / Vanessa Banks

Details of Complaint Received
Beauty links is not a geniune agency that destroy the hopes and dreams of young models that naively go along with their scams. Below is a sample of the emails received by our members;

 Hello,
I represent a beautylinks modelling company in London and we have
selected your portfolio for a Coca-Cola billboard advertisement at Heathrow Airport. all we need is your approval to enable us process your
payment, no commission, no overhead costs. you just get paid for your pictures right away.
email your replies to van_banks509@yahoo. com
Vaneesa Banks.
Financier:beautylinks london.
61 Moscow Road,
London W2 4JS

 
We quite appreciate your swift response concerning the modelling contract. Your picture has been accepted by the agency, "Beauty Links'" as one of the preferred pictures for the Coca-Cola billboard advert @ Heathrow airport, London.
We don't discriminate sizes or shapes of individual models, we just acknowledge gorgeous pictures and use it for commercials. The financier will despatch payment to you by courier service.
This is what we do through myspace to enable people like you to explore in what you really want to do and also be informed that payment will be via cheque and the coca cola company will be sending it you on behalf of beautylinks and you will have 20% of the total funds and have the rest sent to our company that will facilitate all the documentation.
Below are the informations we need to enable us proceed on your behalf.
Name:
Address:
Tel cell Number:
Age:
Sex:
Attached any picture of you.
Do you have an International Passport?Yes/No
Moreso,we will notify you as soon as the cheque is sent and remember that 20% is your share and you will the send rest to agent who will be incharge of your application and also have the prototype of the billboard and contract documents sent to you.
The billboard will be out by the end month so that is can be displayed before for christmas season so the eailer we receive your information the better chance for you.
You can reply me on my email for confirmation on van_banks508@yahoo. com and phone number ,call if need be.
Your are very lucky to be a part of coca cola billboard advert.
Yours Sincerely,
Vanessa Banks
+44 7045729689

 
Our Conclusion

We have been in contact with Coca Cola and the above have no affiliation to their brand.  Coca-Cola have no posted a warning on their website about this scam. There is a real financial risk involved in this scam; with some models having paid monies to get the cheque processed etc, do not accept any work from this organisation.  We do not believe there is any physical threats from this agency.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

I Model - based in Hammersmith / Nisha Patel

Details of Complaint Received

I Models is a company running by Nisha Patel, who also had Blaze, Models International, Shades, Alba Models, Distinctive Models and Phase7.

One model goes on to tell us;

“Every few months they change the name and run to different places after they are being caught. I went there and they have an excuse how not to give your money back or if you ask about jobs after you paid for the portfolio, they say the new excuse : ''We are under a new management and they don't have anything to do with the old one”. ”


Trading Standards (Consumer Direct),  EAS and HMRC have been advised about the situation with these individuals.

Our Conclusion

There is a very real financial risk associated with this business.  The fact they move from company to company so quickly is evidence to them trying to hide from the reports and to run away from their debts / money back schemes etc.   We do not believe there is any physical risks to models.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Majormodels.net (not to be confused with a genuine agency Majormodels.com)

Details of Complaint Received

Majormodels.net have contacted many of our members offering a range of work. Guaranteeing work with large brands such as Dove Soap, Coca-Cola (none of which when we contacted them had any knowledge of the company). As well as false promise of work, they insist on preying on the hopes of smaller models; implying models as small as 5'2" would be perfect for catwalk shoots.

Their annual Fee is £350.

Our Conclusion

There does not seem to be any physical risks involved with this agency. However, there is a real financial risk; the models that have paid have been unable to contact the owner. No reply to emails, calls or letters.  Avoid this company, their claims are unsupported and unrealistic.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Fresh Models / Matt Walker

Details of Complaint Received

We have a report of a "agent" trading as fresh models / fresh model management / fresh model agents.  The agent always goes under the name of "Matt Walker".  We are unable to confirm the full specifics, except;

1) He always asks models to pose on webcams

2) Harrasses models to keep going back on webcams.

3) He claims that he does castings online for girls wanting to be gridgirls and says he has a meetings with Mark who scouts for base models

4) Models that do accept online webcam castings are asked to remove clothes then bra's and knickers and to undertake various poses. We have had reports that these sessions which we believe are recorded are being used on adult websites that market the "casting porn niche".

Our Conclusion

We can confirm that Base models have no knowledge of the above "agent".  All other claims of working with larger brands such as H&M and Selfridges are incorrect and have been confirmed by these brands as untrue.  We do not believe that the above poses any physical or financial risk to the models, however, castings may find themselves posted across the web and can cause a lot of embarrassment to the model as its often impossible to remove these from circulation once they are online.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

We can confirm that the gentleman is not linked with any major agencies and that he is not a professional.  Please do not enter into any casting with this gentleman over webcam type interviews, professional agents do not ask you to strip on cams.  Often these are recorded and resold to adult websites.

To submit a complaint about Matt Walker, or any other agents, please visit http://www.instituteofmodeling.org/sendcomplaint.asp

Name of Company / Individual

Countryside Studios Like2Shoot / David Pegg

Suspected of using aliases (Ken Sadler, Nigel Jolley, Alan Davidson, Philip Ives David Nigel, david Alan, Charles David and David Jolly)

Details of Complaint Received

The below are the comments we have received in reference to the above.  Please note that this case is a ongoing police investigation and as such we are not able to publish many of the details, however, the below details are provided for the ongoing protection of models that may come across the individual.

On a 'Model Directory' application form on a website mentioned on profiles created by this individual on Purestorm there is a in invitation (as of 11:00 GMT 15th December 2008) for sixteen and seventeen year old models to register themselves for "Draped Nude, Fetish, Men’s Magazine, Topless" work.

Our Conclusion

Given his unhealthy obsessions with underage models, we consider this man to be a dangerous predator and advise all models to stay clear of the person in question.  We do not believe the above poses any financial risk to models, however, we do believe there is a very real and active physical risk to any model working with the above.  Please do not accept any invites to shoots/jobs with this individual.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

There are many people within the modelling industry, out to take advantage of new beginners with little experience and information of the scams, cons and industry itself.

The most common scam is photography and photographers; the best hint is that if it sounds too good to be true it more than likely is. Use this guide to prepare and arm yourself when needed.

After many complaints, detailed research has lead to the conclusion that there are many photography companies that are specifically targeting hopefuls and those new to the business; they are charging ludicrously excessive photography fees around £1000 to £1500 for beginner photographers. This should not be paid.

As a new hopeful model; the best idea to build up your portfolio is to use a new photographers. They will also be looking to build there photography portfolio and therefore a TFCD/TFP agreement can be made. Working with different photographers will also increase your experience and be more impressive to potential clients.

TFCD/TFP is an agreement in which the photographs are not paid for; instead the model receives a copy of the images on print or CD and the photographer gain more images to add to his/her portfolio.

It also seems that photography companies are offering credit; many of them are not actually licensed to offer finance, therefore making it illegal. To check, call Consumer Credit on 08454 04 05 06.

Name of Company / Individual

Visagemodels.co.uk / Visagemodelagency.co.uk

Details of Complaint Received

We received three complaints from models that had been approached by Jamie Fox to join his "agency".  Having paid an upfront listing fee, these models then were ignored when emailed about their profiles being listed, updated or the lack of work they were receiving.

Even when models have complained the gentleman operating the business then attempts intimidating models by threatening legal action for questioning their work!

Our Conclusion

Although Jamie Fox become quite irrate towards both ourselves and his own models when questioned about his service, contacts and quality of work being undertaken, we do not consider him to be a physical risk.  There is clearly a financial risk considering the upfront fees and the lack of work undertaken to gain any work for the models.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Vibe Magazine Keith Nicholas

Details of Complaint Received

We were approached with the following detail by Los Angeles Central Police Station;

Keith Nicholas a 22 year old man posing as a photographer from Vibe Magazine is wanted in connection of at least four sexual battery and assault charges against young women (model hopefuls).  We believe the suspect is approaching young women on trains and public transport and offering them work.  At least four women have already reported submitting to a personal examination by the suspect, allowing him to measure intimate body parts for custom fitted underwear.

All of the women had given Nicholas thier stats, however, he said this was not reliable enough. All reported him fondelling the victims breasts and groins.

Althought these crimes amount only to misdemeanor offenses at this point we consider there been a real risk of more serious crimes evolving from these less serious crimes.

Anyone with information is asked to call LAPD Central Division detectives at (213) 972-1235. Callers can also phone the 24-hour number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text "Crimes" with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with "LAPD." Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Our Conclusion

Simply the suspect poses a real threat to young models, as his acts become more intimate there is a real risk his confidence will grow and the possibility of more serious attacks grows.  No geniune agent or scout will ever ask to measure your sizes, this is the job of a fitter (and will always be same gender).

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Police say Keith Nichols may be working as a security guard. He has lived in Compton, Hawthorne and South Los Angeles. He is 5'11 and weighs 140 pounds.

Name of Company / Individual

Models And Talents Shoots Inc - James Webster

Details of Complaint Received

We have received many complaints about Models and Talent Shoots / James Webster, all of aliases and have been linked to around 75 other names. An example of the "marketing" email;

Hello, My name is james webster I emailed you as regards your post i saw on (petitemode).I work with a newly open modeling and talents company in NY Named 'Models And Talents Shoots Inc'.I was really thrilled when i saw those wonderful shoots of
yours,I quite appreciate your looks and would like to work with you on a small contract.We havea $6,500 pay modeling job (Assignment) for you to take picture with some of our client Fashion Outfit, Our client wants to update there Catalog with our new year release Fashion outfits and We are interested in you for the shooting, We are model and photographer agent by profession And we are new in the society, we are located in Wooden Haven NY 11421 and i should have given you our web site but its still under construction for now and i promise as soon as it is done i will let you know. Find all details for the job below...

JOB LOCATION The shooting will hold at a rented photographer's studio in model location, so you don't have to worry about traveling, the name and address of the studio will be forwarded to you before the date of the shooting, all make up will be taken cared of in the studio. You can come along with any body of your choice on the day of the shooting just for you to feel more comfortable.But not more than four people invite by the model that we will take care of. 

JOB DETAILS: You have a lot of different Fashion outfits to cover, which would be provided by our client on the day of the shooting.

TIME DURATION Thiswill take up to Two days The total money pay for the jobs is $7,500 and you get $500 as your advance payment and balance of $7.000 will be paid after the complication of the project.

EXPECTATIONS Please get in touch with us if you will take the job and we can go from there, just let me know if you will take the job and I will give you extra details. Make sure you get back to me ASAP.And if interested you will have to give us your details to contact you with your
payment via check and for further info.

      INFO NEEDED
      1.Your full name:......
      2..Contact address,.......
      3.City,....
      4State
      5.Zip Code .......
      5..Home contact telephone number or Cellphone number...
      6.Your age.
     
      Contact me via private email only if interested with your details....

Our Conclusion

This is not a real job offer and is linked into serious crimes or cheque forging and various other criminal activities.  No semi-professional model is paid $7,500 per shoot;  often this price bracket is reserved for the highest paid professional models.  This scam poses real financial risks to the model;  not only wil they ask you to send money to them, but this cheque will not clear and your bank may impose charges and even lock your account whilst fraud department undertakes an investigation.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Go Models

Details of Complaint Received

Complaint received by one of our partners;

They invite you to see them at 50 Featherstone Street London EC1Y 8RT, phone number 020 725 3824

Then comes the hard sell!!!

Before you know it they have got you to sign up a standing order for £172.50 per month for ten months, making a total of £1,725.00. This is to prove the applicant was really genuine and wanted this opportunity. They claimed the cost covers photos, PR, fees and putting you on their webpage.

What they don't tell, but is in the contract you sign, is a clause stating - you have to find your own work!

If you want to cancel the contract, even just a couple of hours later, they tell you that you cannot. They tell you that they will take legal action against you to recover 50% or100%...

You have a legal right to cancel the contract within 7 days, but the agency claims you have no such rights...

Read More;

• http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2009/07/go-models-becomes-go-managemen.html
• http://www.gm.tv/videos/gmtv-highlights/36298-model-scams.html
• http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2009/07/headline-false-promises-by-wan.html
• http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/06/24/beware-facebook-model-vultures-86908-21467012/

Our Conclusion

Go Models do not have a consumer credit license, their continued use of monthly payment schemes for this scheme would require them to hold a credit license. We would fully support any model who wishes to take legal action against the agency or who would like to make a claim for the monies paid.

In summary, we believe the agency holds significant financial risk to models, being one of the most expensive scams we have investigated to date.  Atlhough the telephone calls tend to be quite heated with models; threatening legal action etc, we do not believe the agency pose any physical risk to models.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

After a recent look into many modelling websites offering advice; it has come to our attention that there is a ‘new wave’ of scams. It seems as though the scam artists are now trying to pass themselves off as independent and unprejudiced advice websites.

A large amount of research has allowed us to conclude that many websites offering advice for ‘free’ are also running their own photography, printing, portfolio or training school businesses; they are therefore suggesting these companies clearly being biased and charging ridiculous rates.

One of these free advice websites we have looked into offer assessment days; for a £50 deposit these day includes a ‘free shoot’. However, after the shoot a packages ranging from £700- £1500 were offered; to conclude without purchasing a package, the free shots were not received. These companies also use quite strong sales tactics to ensure you buy some of their photos.

Also, it seems as though these companies are also offering credit; after researching many of these companies are not licensed under the consumer credit licensing act; therefore it is illegal for them to do so. To check, please call 08454 04 05 06 and reach Consumer Direct.

These companies are clearly taking advantage of those of you which are new to the industry, a few hints to help you along your way:

A website offering advice to models should be impartial; make sure that you trust the company, better still see that they are offering a wide variety of different photographers and agencies as proof that they are not biased. (Our website is full of help, advice and warnings as well as many others.).  A Tell tale sign of a model advice scam, is a website advertising ‘related services’ as part of their advice!

Advice should be free, if it isn’t certainly do not pay; keep researching advice for models until you come across free this should be plentiful.

Many of these model advice websites are offering a photography service, this is clearly not legit and would be something we would advise you not to accept. As a beginner model the best idea is to work with a new photographer on TFCD/TFP and gain experience working with photographers (the good, bad and ugly).

Name of Company / Individual

Empire Talent Agency

Details of Complaint Received

Empire Talent run by Marisa Sclafani poses as a Model Agency, however, is actually a front for a photo studio. We have received many complaints about the "agency".  No geniune agency is this closely linked with a photography studio - also you would be allowed to bring your own portfolio if you're experienced (Empire are not interested in this).

Models that have joined up have been on their books upto 6 months before leaving, still with no work at all.

Our Conclusion

We do not believe that Marisa or Empire pose any physical risks to models, however, there is clearly a financial scam in making you pay for a portfolio to join their agency.  Unfortunately because there are no legal requirements on being part of a competent person scheme; these people are allowed to get away with these scams.  Do not allow yourself to become a victim.

The small print

The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

1st Class Images / Runway Models /ModelModel.tv (Erik Chandler/Nicky Butler)

Details of Complaint Received

The Erik Chandler group of scam organisations have been subject to over 150 complaints received by ourselves and our partners. These scams range from;

Hotel Meetings - "text-book" scam, adds in local papers, looking for models. Once models turn up to hotels they are given a sales pitch about how succesful they can be within modelling, they promise to sign you with a top agency; none of the agencies they promise to sign you with have any agreements with Erik Chandler or his endless range of scams.  You are asked to pay £250 upfront, many models then never hear anything back, if you call and persist he will then offer you a place within his 'associated' agency - but you have to pay another £100 upfront. 

ModelModel.tv Erik Chandler and Siobhan Dwyer new venture. They ring up those - who went to a Runway Models venue, but did not necessarily sign up and pay £325. ModelModel offer actual work, but cannot give a date. Neither can they send any documents or literature about their agency - but they do demand £99 up-front. The agency is purportedly registered in the Virgin Islands.

Our Conclusion

Not only does Erik Chandler and his 'mob' pose a real financial risk to those that get fooled by the well put together sales packages, but get on the wrong side and thing tend to get quite violent.  One of our very well respected contacts was subject to such violent acts for uncovering their lies http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2009/01/attack-on-equitys-clive-hurst.html

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

The Next Step Modeling and Talent Agency

Details of Complaint Received

Complaints all contain the standard formula of asking for money to make your a "model" not followed through but costing the model between $300 - $1,500.  A standard complaint we received;

About two years ago I was handed a flyer that stated that they were searching for aspiring models and actors. Of course they made it sound so good so I went in for an interview and was told many interesting things that really caused me to believe that this would be my big chance. Well, along wit the good info came the money talk at the end. They told me that I would have to pay a total of $1000 inorder to get started. Well, they said that I was getting a good deal because Hot97 was going to cover the rest. Little did I know at that time. They allowed us to make a payment plan but had to pay $333 up-front. I did and that was the most money I ever wasted at one time. They made me attend classes that helped a bit but was not fully as effective as they said it would be. Then I got a photo shoot that was not as professional as it should have been. This company has put me through so much, they wasted my time and took my money and as all scammers do they closed their business.

Our Conclusion

We do not believe the organisation pose any physical risk to models, however, they are clearly a scam agency; working off some models naivety, or desperation to get into the industry.  We have been informed they are now working under Step2Modeling although can't find any references to this online.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Modelstyle

Details of Complaint Received

Young males and females looking to make a few extra pounds have been tricked into signing a contract where they become liable to a fee of £50 with Modelstyle.  When the models are unable to pay the company pass the debt to a partner business MediaFinance, with charges amounting to 100% added ontop of these fees.

Our Conclusion

Model Style and Mischa Ruerup the owner are considered to be a high financial risk to models. With the average aspiring model earning between £4.50 - £5.80 per hour in the U.K with their non-modelling jobs. The "agencies" charges of between £50 - £200 can take a model almost a full week to earn.  However, we believe they are acting illegally and would support any model who wishes to put up a legal challenge agains the fees / charges they incurr.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Life Network - Xpose Models (Mohamed Farrag)

Details of Complaint Received

I've just been in contact by email with an agency listed on your list called \"Life network\" (http://www.jurgita.com/agencies-id172278.html) and I think they are a scam. They came across as extremely unprofessional, which gave me cause to doubt. They wouldn\'t provide me with a business address or contact information, so I searched for the owner\'s name (Mohamed Farrag) and found a lot of people linking him to a scam called Xpose Models amongst others. E.g. http://www.wnymodels.com/banned_for_life.htm , http://www.musecube.com/forums/model.htm?read=11722 . He claims to be in Egypt but his website, life-network.net, is registered in Saudi Arabia, a country which I know (as an Arab myself) has no concept of modelling due to its religious climate. Some people even intimated that he may be involved with trafficking girls, or possibly even worse, so I thought I would warn you about this man to avoid any girls falling victim to him through his page on your site.

Impact Model Management had dealings with this man in 2007/2008 when he was attempting to solicit entrants/sponsors for a 'Female of the Universe' competition. He is also known as 'Mohamed Farrag' (which we believe to be his real name) and he was asking girls to audition by stripping on web cam + 90% of the winners vote would be decided by him via a private one-on-one interview.

Our Conclusion

This individual ticked all of our boxes; in his early scams he was asking for money (usually $20), to enter a casting directory.  Later he started the webcam competitions for models (where your casting will almost certainly be sold to a range of adult sites that specialise in this "niche").  Finally we believe through various sources he is attempting to traffic women into prostitution from Africa and Eastern Europe into Western Europe and U.S.A.  Ignore any emails/contact from this individual, he is considered dangerous.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Vita Luci

Details of Complaint Received

Agency "Vita Luci" sends their models to United Arab Emirates to satisfy the needs of Arabian Sheikh and employs them as high class companions (escorts) within Europe. We have had report by multiple models with stories how they were running from the trouble, after been lead from what they believed was their route into the modelling world.

Our Conclusion

Avoid this organisation at all costs, the people behind this agency are criminals who are forcing models into a life of prostitution, through false hope and the threat of violence.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

City Model Agency

Details of Complaint Received

City Model Agency based on Benares Road in London, tries to deceive people by promising them to pay for their photos. Models give photographs and never get any money in return.   This agency are listed on various internet portfolio sites, they never pay for the pictures, or return emails/enquiries sent after they receive the pictures. 

Our Conclusion

We do not believe there is any financial or physical risk posed by City Models, however, they are clearly a scam agency with over 50 complaints received by ourselves and our partners. Do not waste your time or effort by sending photos to this guy.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Casting Rooms

Details of Complaint Received

This person uses multiple free email accounts (over 51 of them!) and is constantly changing his/her name and contact info.  He/She/It utilizes SPAMMING message in forums and social networking sites as a tool to get you to send an email to their bogus email accounts, at which point an auto-responder will send you an email saying that for $20, you can get casting information.  - on some forums this person has even illegally and fraudulently implied being a direct representative for the "WB Network", "Fox Network", "UPN Network", "ABC Television", "NBC Casting", "HBO Network", "CBS Network".

While at last count they SPAM about 120 forums, they have also illegally impersonated the major networks.  Many forums have been taken over by their SPAM-  i.e.: 90% of posts on some forums were made by the casting rooms fake personalities.  There is no limit to their SPAM- i.e.: they post casting calls for Teen Shows on fine art/figure model and even on xxx/adult message forums!

Our Conclusion

We do not consider Casting Rooms to be a physical risk, however, they are clearly making some money from niave models sending money for castings; in the hope of landing a big job.  Please do not send this organisation any funds; it will be wasted, well over 70 complaints received by ourselves and our partners.  

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

BuffaloModels

Details of Complaint Received

Multiple complaints received by models and photographers - primarily personality issues and complaints of stretching/skewing/distorting their images. This 'agency' act primarily on AOL and yahoo IM, ask for a range of nude shots to be taken and emailed to review before accepting you onto their 'books'.

Our Conclusion

There seems little substance to their claims.  We believe there is little financial or physical risk posed by this organisation.  However, we have had reports from some models that have sent their topless photos to this organisation that they have been posted on adult forums and boards (open to the public).

The small print

 
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

marketingparadise.com

Details of Complaint Received

Marketingparadise have solicited models across many of the forums / social networks sites. Usually asking for money quite directly for marketing services to your portfolio / website with no intention of undertaking any service. 

Two girls did send money with no contact made afterwards, couldn't get their money back and details they gave them were incorrect.

They often ask for money into Western Union Accounts, do not send any monies to this firm.

Our Conclusion

FCC Legal issues are on-going with this company. The organisation pose a real financial risk to models. Often charging smaller amounts, you will never get any money back, or services they promise.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual
James at "Ford Models"

Details of Complaint Received

We have been alerted to a fraud concerning .   This gentleman is not known by ford models and his email address is always from either a google or hotmail account.

Sample of his marketing

This is James from Ford Models. I am a freelance agent looking for talented individuals to work with me on a new project with Power Trust Xpress (Dealing with all type of Bikes), i happened to be the project personnel and resource manager heading the recruitment
of models for this project,I found your profile VERY FASCINATING,your profile is good,nice ,flexibility,posture and looks good. We 're happy to invite shooting you to the shooting. We are doing the company's magazine cover for Power Trust Xpress and i need pictures of good looking people,beautiful women and gentlemen to pose with exotic Bike.Its promises to be fun,exposed and pays good OK.We touring all 50 states for shooting and that means you don't have to travel out of your hood just to part take in this because Famed models is coming right to you. Interested applicants willing to know more and also part take should SEND AN EMAIL TO the official email SHOWING INTEREST AND
more details will be sent to you about this.

Best Regards...

Our Conclusion

Risk/Exposure level is low. Although we have identified James as not being involved with Ford Models, we believe him to be nothing more than someone looking for model pictures. We have one complaint of him being very persistent to get a model on cam. There seems to be no financial nor physical risk.

If in doubt as to the authentication, please use our scout search facility.  If the scout is not listed on our directory then ask for references and check them out.

The small print

The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

www.dieselmodels.co.uk/  David McDonald and Tracie Rowleys Laurence Smith

Details of Complaint Received

Diesel models is one of the most commonly know model scam. Although model are aware that this is a scam operation, unfortunately they are still in business.  The detail provided by our partners;

Diesel Models; yet another photo studio offering portfolios using excessively strong sales tactics – firstly offering you a free shoot (and saying they can get you work!), then they will try and sell you the 10-prints for £600-£800….if you try and back out at this point they will try and offer you just the photos on CD for £150!

What Pure Space Studios Ltd, trading as Diesel Models don't tell you, is that 'The Blue Rooms' the photographers they pass you on to, is owned by the same people!

The organisation often preys on younger people and parents desperate to get their children into the industry.

Their claim to be “one of the most well-known and respected agencies of it's kind in England” is not only unfounded but completely untrue. The evidence above suggests that Diesel is merely a cover for a photography studio – using the well know brand of Diesel as a cover.

Our Conclusion

We do not believe Diesel Models or any of its associated partners/companies pose any physical threat to models, however, there is clearly a financial risk;  with promise of work never materialising and the quality of the photos being standard at best.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org

Name of Company / Individual

Zebra Connections (Chris Garner / Jonathan Henson)

Details of Complaint Received

The Institute of Modeling has received literally hundreds of complaints about the Chris Garner who goes by the name of Jon Henson, this individual is operating the following agencies;

Zebra Connections        London    
Zebra Management       London
The Light Rooms          London    
Fusion                         Manchester

We have been unable to contact Chris Garner and the firms do not reply to our letters, emails or telephone messages.  We can however, provide the comments we have received (for you to draw your own judgement);


I was approached and photographed on Market Street in the city centre a few weeks ago, and have been contacted and pressured into having professional photos taken. When I mentioned I could not afford these costs, the woman went to talk to her 'director' who was apparently so keen on 'my look' that she said they were willing to pay the studio/photographer/hair/makeup/stylist fees, but i had to pay for the photographs, being taken by Fusion Studios in the Northern Quarter in Manchester, after taking a £150 deposit, and taking a 'paid invoice' to the studio with me to my appointment the very next day, the photographs were to cost me between £300 and £900, which i could apparently pay off within 1 to 3 months.
#1


Justyna promise me that there was loads of work out there - she even sent me the job opportunities email - working for T-mobile for the day would get me £600 and Kudos catalogue work. She also said she had just spoken to 'her manager' and I was told they would pay for everything - all I had to pay was £100 copyright fee. I am unemployed and said that this is all I could afford. Anyway, I get to the 'light studios' only to be told the cheapest deal is £600 - I had visions of getting loads of work through them so I put it on the credit card thinking I would get the money back through work they would get me.  I received no work and I can’t repay the money for the shot.
#2

Our Conclusion

Another example of a portfolio/photography company trying to sell their services by promising jobs/contracts that they cannot deliver on. For example T-Mobile who they claim to provide mdoels for, have never worked with them.  Furthermore, credit Agreement by 99% of these agencies are illegal and non-enforceable.  If the person offering you credit does not have a consumer credit license then there is a good chance you won’t have to repay them, checkout http://www2.crw.gov.uk/pr/Default.aspx

We do not believe that the organisation pose any physical threat to models.

The small print
The details of this complaint are provided after a full and thorough investigation has taken place. The in-depth detail of the investigations is not provided online for legal reasons. Should you disagree with the above warning or wish to add any further detail, please contact us at complaints@instituteofmodeling.org