Name of Company / Individual

Steve /  Steve Smith @ Welsh Glamour Photography

Details of Complaint Received

The photographer approaches models asking if they would like to feature within a new magazine publication.  If the model does not provide a topless image immediately, the response is quite often;

"Thanks for getting back to me. I do have a position on the shoot I spoke about for just a lingerie model. The editor has insisted that all the models supply a topless photo but only I would see it. It wouldn't be published. Providing you sent me a topless photo I could confirm to the editor that you were natural and suitable for the shoot. I would then recommend you for just the implied nude and lingerie photos. You will still get the full fee of £800 plus all your expenses.

If your ok with this please supply me with one topless photo which can be a pro shot or simply a photo taken by yourself. I just need to confirm to the editor that you have supplied it.

Hope to hear from you soon and look forward to working together in this project.

Steve, Welsh Glamour Photography."

If you are looking to do glamour / lingerie work no agent/scout will ask to see topless pictures.  If they would like to see your ability/look they will ask to see your model portfolio or do a casting. 

Our Conclusion

We believe that there is no intention to book/pay any of the models this individual has contacted. We do believe that the scam is for sexual gratification. However, these scams can develop into both financial risks if the individual were to send a fee for £800 and then ask for some form for commission, or, if he asks for meets we may be concerned about possible physical risks.  We would warn any model that has contact by this person, from email singingman123@gmail.com  to let us know immediately.

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@miu.org.uk

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. 

We have received news 19/10/2010 that he has made further contact to two models. Please be aware this individual is dangerous and should not be approached.

21/02/2011 - Please note Paul Mullins is also the name of a geniune model agent operating www.unborn-models.co.uk and is not associated with Mr Stafford or any other scam

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@miu.org.uk

Name of Company / Individual

Phillip Brindle, Photographer and His wife Victoria Brindle (now deceased)

Details of Complaint Received

We have received many messages of support for the victims of these crimes. We have spoken directly to two of the past victims of Mr Brindle's whom have provided brief details of the events that happened during their ordeals. The couple seem to have lured their victims because of their setup; they simply didn't believe they needed to be worried about a mature couple as most warnings they had read where about males. Both of the victims said that they were quite impressionable at the time and that the couple seems quite geniune.

Both victims described how they were given very poorly constructed handwritten releases, saying that they will wear / do anything he asks them to.  One of the victims only ever shot once with the couple and was not abused in any other way that having Mr Brindle touch her and himself inappropriately. The other victim that refuses to speak with the police, as her new family do not know of the ordeal was raped by Mr Brindle as his wife held her down, the whole ordeal was recorded, death threats were made against her and she moved away from her friends and family in Manchester and moved to Birmingham.  She is now medicated for depression and suffers from agoraphobia.  She tells us how even after the attack Mr Brindle was discussing future shoots, how she could makes lots of money if she "was a good girl".

Our Conclusion

These individuals were able to get away with their crimes for 15+ years, within their then home town of Wigan. The police have discovered masses of photos and videos of young women, not all identified.  Unfortunately, as many of the people who have had contact from the individual and were abused/subjected to the treatment of him and his wife do not want to talk to the police, the real number of women will never really be known. 

Phillip Brindle will be sentenced during October 2010 and will not be able to apply for parole until at least 2021. He will remain on the sex offenders register for life.  However, we would like to highlight this case to demonstrate that no matter how innocent a photographer may seem, if you don't do your checks you can ruin your life for just a few hours!

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 miu.org.uk

Name of Company / Individual

Rob Wells (aka Rob Redliner Wells), claiming to be part of the Redline Magazine team.

Details of Complaint Received

Contact made through Facebook to models and non-models; with the aim of gaining photos by deception. The individual claims to book models for Redline Magazine and asks for photos and webcam sessions.

Our Conclusion

Although at the moment this seems to be merely a pervert looking to gain photos by deception, there is a possibility that this could develop into a greater risk as he has asked to meet a model.  Until this point is clarified we believe this individual poses a real risk to models and urge any model contacted by him to get in contact with us immediately.

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@miu.org.uk

Katrina Ward, 31, a mum-of-two, created a fake profile on the social networking site belonging to the fictional 'Jada Harris' - complete with a picture of a beautiful unknown brunette.

She claimed she worked for a modelling agency in London, but she actually worked for a car supplier in Hull, East Yorks., and had used the alias in the past to spy on ex-boyfriends.
 
But when she befriended a male acquaintance who she had a vendetta against, Ward and her lovestruck boyfriend Michael Willingham, 23, conned him into thinking 'Jada' wanted a relationship with him and was moving to Hull.

They arranged for him to hand over £400 in a pub car park - claiming it to be for a deposit for Jada's new house - and persuaded him to film himself taking part in a sexual act which they then posted on YouTube, linking it from the Facebook site for all to see.

Wllingham then rang the man claiming he was Jada's father, adding that she was just 15, and threatening to call the police unless he handed over a further £1,250 for her 'school fees'.

Willingham has now been jailed for 14 months after admitting blackmail and Ward was given a six-month sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to theft.

Ward's friend Victoria Bucknall, 23, who collected the 400 pounds from the man, was ordered to complete 70 hours of unpaid work after admitting money laundering.

Judge John Dowse told Willingham: "After your partner explained to you about the site you came up with a scheme to get money from your victim. It was carefully planned and meant to impose distress."

Prosecuting at Hull Crown Court, James Byatt explained that Ward had created 'Jada Harris' two years ago to spy on ex-boyfriends, but when the acquaintance - who cannot be identified for legal reasons - made an "unkind comment" to Ward, the pair hatched a plan to "teach him a lesson" and Ward sent him a friend request.

Mr Byatt said: "Willingham became aware of this Facebook site and lured the complainant into thinking Jada desired a relationship.

"He accepted the friend request, they chatted on MSN and exchanged mobile phone numbers and text messages, which gradually became of a sexual nature.

"During the day Ward would pretend to be Jada and during the evening Willingham would pose as her online and via text messages.

"They then asked him to send a video of him taking part in a sexual act and a naked picture of him which he did.

"This was subsequently put on YouTube and linked via Jada's Facebook site. Jada then led the complainant to believe that she was unhappy in London and was moving to Hull, and asked if he would supply £400 for a house deposit which he readily agreed to do."

This led to a meeting in a pub car park on April 8 this year, where Bucknall claimed to be a friend of Jada. He handed over the cash after a mobile phone call from the 'model' - who in reality was Ward speaking with a fake voice from Willingham's car nearby.

The pair handed 20 pounds to Bucknall - who was unaware of the scale of the deception - and then told their victim Jada was catching a train to Hull two days later. When she failed to show and the victim began calling, Willingham answered but concocted a blackmail plan.

Mr Byatt said: "He said 'You've been had. She's not the person you think she is, she's 15. I've seen the disgusting video and photo. If you don't pay for her to go to boarding school I'll call the police."

He then demanded a further £1,250 - but the next day the suspicious defendant went to police. While he was there Willingham texted him with further threats about where he was planning to post the video and picture.

A victim impact statement read to court revealed the man felt "deceived, betrayed and threatened" by the couple who he considered to be friends. He was "terrified" about where the video and picture could end up.

Mr Byatt added that Ward had made a similar attempt to con another man last year, before she met Willingham, but this had failed.

Defending Ward, Chris Dunn said: "She wanted to teach him a lesson after he made an unkind comment to her, and did a very stupid thing that's caused an awful lot of damage and distress."

Defending Willingham, Paul Genney said he was "obsessed" with Ward, explaining: "He has accepted sole responsibility for the blackmail. He was, and is, in love with a more sophisticated partner who is considerably older and more mature."

Ward was told to repay £380 to the victim, pay £100 costs and complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

Name of Company / Individual

Frank Vaughn / Vodafone

Details of Complaint Received

Email received by model as follows :


I am glad to have received your message declaringyour interest to be a part of this Job.This is a standard photo shootsession that is billed to last for 14 days.

This Photo-Shootsession is put together by VODAFONE.A line billed to belaunched come end of August. As a bid to usher in the launch, they areoffering 6 International Talents/Models a two weeks Photo-Shootcontract. You will be required to work with a few local based Models whohave already been contacted here in London.

You will beworking with a few Local Photographers and Studios, and picturesquelocations such as beaches, parks and hilltops. This is a direct Joboffer not a casting or an audition. The idea of including ForeignTalents and Models to be a part of this shoot was conceived rather lateso time is a little far spent so you are advised to respond veryswiftly to this Job proposal and let us know if you are ready toproceed. CROSS COUNTRY TALENT INC has been saddled with the task ofproviding 6 Foreign Talents and Models from across the World. We totallyscrutinized your full profile and seemed good enough for the Job whichis why we have contacted you but the final decision to be a part of thisshoot will be taken by you.

The daily routine for this shootsession will be decided by the photographer in charge and all imagerights will be agreed between you and the Client when you eventuallyarrive.

VODAFONE is using this shoot to launch some of their newproducts in the Market.

For this Job you will be paid a contractsum/salary of 40,000 Great Britain Pounds, a daily allowance of 150Great Britain Pounds and a Travel Allowance of 1,500 Great BritainPounds. The accommodation will also be provided by the Client in form ofan Hotel accommodation and your suite will be booked as soon as yourarrival date is certain.

All you are required to provide forthis Job are a VALID PASSPORT, A UK WORK PERMIT and A UK MODELLICENSE/CERTIFICATE (from the British Home Office and office of theBritish Fashion Council here in the UK), that is if you have never had apaid Job in the UK but if you possess a valid EU Passport, it means youwill not be needing the Work Permit but will need just the UK ModelLicense/Certificate.

You will be receiving an upfront paymentof 50% of the contract sum plus the travel allowance (21,500 GreatBritain Pounds) after you must have gotten the necessary documents orstarted the process that will stand as proof that you will be honoringthe Job. This Job is billed to start on the 27th of August 2010 asalready know so you are advised to approach this offer with the urgencyit requires and if the timing does not suit you, endeavor to let me knowand we will seek an urgent replacement for you.

If you requireany info do not hesitate to let me know.

Regards,
FrankVaugn

Our Conclusion

We have confirmed with Vodafone that this individual is not known by themselves. We believe that there is a real financial risk posed to anyone that receives or banks these cheques.  Furthermore, any pictures that are sent to this person may be used to produce another profile on a social networking site.  There is evidence that this individual is introducing girls to himself using a female model profile as a cover. If you have any contact by this individual please let us know immediately.

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@miu.org.uk

Name of Company / Individual

David Milton / Sarah White

Details of Complaint Received

Models have been contacted and harrassed by David Milton / Sarah White (who we believe is the same person). Typical email reads:

"Dear Model

If you are still looking for Flexible P/T Work then we have some work that will be of interest to you.

The work on offer is most suited to anyone looking to become a well-trained model.  We require people to meet and greet clients to our business events that we hosts in and around the local area.

In a nutshell this is how we operate.  Around 5-7 working days before an event we will forward you via email a job sheet that will outline the job on offer.  If you are free that day and would like to be considered you simply reply to the email.  The pay rate is usually in the £100 - £200 per day range depending on the event and work required.  Lunch and reasonable travel expenses are often provided as part of the package.

You will be smart and business like in your appearance.  Able to act confident in front of new people and be skilled in hold good dialogue with your guests.

If you would like to receive regular job sheets please reply to this email with the word "MODEL" followed a contact number in the subject line.

Regards

Sarah White
Part Time Modelling Work In Staffordshire"

Once a model shows an interest, the individual then calls / emails the individual and harrasses them, asking information such as sexual history/experience etc. 

Our Conclusion

From the information we have been provided we believe this individual is extremely dangerous and could advance onto assults etc. The type of grooming undertaken by the individual is common place for sexual predators. Do not respond to any emails or castings from this individual; if you get any calls please inform us via email or our complaints form.

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@miu.org.uk

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.

Update:   

We have been informed by Chris Page of the met Police that he has managed to track the individual and has given him an official warning about the above case.  You are reminded to be vigilant and if you receive any contact from the individual you should still contact Chris Page.

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@miu.org.uk

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@miu.org.uk

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@miu.org.uk

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

1st Class Images / Runway Models /ModelModel.tv / Scout Factory (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@miu.org.uk

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@miu.org.uk

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@miu.org.uk

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@miu.org.uk

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@miu.org.uk